The titanium and aluminum versions of Apple Watch Series 6 are nearly identical in every way. The both come in 40mm or 44mm sizes, and the both have all the same new features of Apple Watch, including the always-on screen, international emergency calling, and built-in compass. The real difference is in the price and weight, which is significant.

Titanium vs aluminum: What are the differences?

The two different material options are identical in many ways for the Apple Watch Series 6, like screen size, sensors, battery life, and Bluetooth support. There are, however, enough differences that it's important to consider them when deciding which one is right for you. The spec table below lists the features of the Apple Watch Series 6 for a better comparison.

Titanium or aluminum: which brushed metal is for you?

If you've always favored the brushed metal look, whether for aesthetic or to avoid those microabrasions, you now have two choices for Apple Watch; aluminum and titanium. The material, however, makes them look completely different.

The aluminum case on the Apple Watch is bright and light to look at. It's got a fitness aesthetic. Even the Space gray model looks like it's lightweight.

The titanium case, on the other hand, has darker, richer tones. The best way to describe it is that titanium looks more like jewelry (like a fashion watch) and aluminum looks more like a fitness band.

That doesn't mean the aluminum Apple Watch doesn't dress up nicely. I owned two aluminum Apple Watches and successfully paired the look with the Milanese Loop and Modern Buckle and they looked quite fashionable.

The silver aluminum and titanium cases have the most significant differences in terms of looks. The latter has a deeper silver hue. Silver aluminum looks lightweight — like a runner's watch.

The space gray aluminum and space black titanium are less noticeably different, but when you see them side-by-side, you can tell that titanium has a darker shine to it.

Weighing the weight factor

Aluminum looks lightweight because it is lightweight. The aluminum Apple Watch has long been a fan favorite of runners, one reason it's the only case material available for the Apple Watch Nike version.

The titanium Apple Watch is lighter than the stainless steel model, but it's still heavier than aluminum by about 5 grams.

To a lot of people, 5 grams doesn't make that much of a difference, but to runners especially, it makes all the difference.

Sapphire vs Ion-X and does it really matter?

The choice of sapphire crystal or Ion-X glass is not about higher or lower quality. It's about what the Watch's intended purpose is. The aluminum Apple Watch is designed with athletes in mind, which is why apple sticks to Ion-X every year. Greg Koenig wrote about the differences between the two for iMore back in 2015.

Ion-X is more likely to experience microabrasions, but the tradeoff for what athletes would use it for is worth it.

Color variety can matter

Currently, Apple doesn't offer titanium in any other color but titanium and space black. Since this is Apple's Edition Apple Watch, it's likely that there just isn't enough market interest in investing in multiple colors.

Aluminum, on the other hand, comes in silver, space gray, gold, blue, and (Product)RED. If you're a little bit flashy, aluminum has the flair. You can also pick up an awesome Apple Watch band to go with your Apple Watch, no matter which material and color you choose.

Apple Watch model options.

The titanium Apple Watch is only available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and Apple Watch Series 3, while the aluminum Apple Watch is available for the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and Apple Watch Series 6.

Bottom line

Your decision on whether to go with titanium or aluminum on the Series 5 comes down to a few features. There are a lot of similarities, but the differences are significant.

• If you want the absolute lightest material, the aluminum Apple Watch is designed for fitness and the lightest of all Apple Watch models, including titanium.
• If you want a look that's more fashion jewelry than fitness focused, the brushed titanium has a more elegant look.
• If you gotta have color, you gotta have aluminum.
• If you want GPS-only, you'll have to choose aluminum. Titanium isn't available without cellular capabilities (though you don't have to sign up for a cellular plan).
• If cost is a deciding factor, the aluminum Apple Watch is much cheaper than the titanium model. You can get the Series 3 for only $199.

When it comes to gadgets, our favorite is the Apple Watch. It's great for tracking fitness, time, messages and calls on-the-go, and so much more. Plus, it looks great on any wrist, and fairly simple to use. If you just picked up the best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 7, then you want to make sure that it's set up properly and customized to your liking. Here's how to get started with your new Apple Watch!

What's new with Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch Series 7 is the latest and greatest smartwatch from Apple. With the Series 7, you'll have pretty much everything from the Series 6, including always-on altimeter, blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, Fall Detection, always-on display, and more. The Series 7 does add fast-charging capabilities with the new USB-C charger, and a slightly larger display at 41mm or 45mm sizes.

How to set up and pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone

While the Apple Watch and your best iPhone may be two very different pieces of hardware, one of them cannot exist without the other. After all, once you turn on your Apple Watch, the next step is to pair it with an iPhone if you plan to use it at all.

In order to set up and pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone, you're going to have to use the Apple Watch app on iOS. It should already be installed on your iPhone, or you can download it again on the App Store if you've previously removed it.

Say 'hello' to watchOS

As watchOS continues to evolve, it only gets better when it comes to improving its users' lives. Here are the things that you can do with watchOS 8, as well as other tips and tricks.

When it comes to navigating your Apple Watch, it is pretty straightforward, but you may need some time to get used to it. After all, you have the Dock on your Apple Watch that displays your recently opened or favorite apps. You'll also get notifications on your Apple Watch throughout the day, which can be incredibly convenient. Your Apple Watch also has Siri, making it possible to use your smartwatch completely hands-free if need be! And while you're at it, don't forget to check out the secret Apple Watch controls that you can use with the Digital Crown.

If you want to get the most out of watchOS, make sure to check out some of our tips and tricks that you should know. And if you want to be even more productive, we have 15 power tips for you and your Apple Watch too.

How to customize your Apple Watch

While the Apple Watch is a simple device that goes on your wrist, there are actually a ton of ways to customize it to make it truly yours. If you want to know how to personalize it, then read on!

The first thing you're going to see on your Apple Watch is the face. Thankfully, you can change watch faces whenever you want. You can even add and remove multiple watch faces as you see fit. When you want to add some pizazz to it, make sure to choose your own face styles and colors for your Apple Watch face.

When we say you can pick out your own face styles and colors, there are a few different ways to go about that. You can go with the Kaleidoscope face for a cool, psychedelic effect, or add your own photo or time-lapse to a watch face. You can also add a personal monogram, and make the Modular face multicolored instead of going with a singular hue.

Another thing about watch faces that can be customized are the complications. These are bits of data that show up in various spots on the watch face, even from third-party apps, and they're incredibly handy. Here's how to add complications to your Apple Watch.

Next on the list of things to do with your new Apple Watch is to make sure that the settings are how you like them. You'll want to make sure that you name or rename your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to ensure that you can recognize it easily. After all, a lot of people have these devices, so you want to make sure you can differentiate yours from the crowd!

Since the Apple Watch is essential for getting notifications, you'll want to make sure that your notifications are customized to your liking. I mean, do you really need notifications for absolutely everything? Not really. So make sure to only have notifications on for Apple Watch for the essential apps.

And if you want to use complications for weather, stocks, and the world clock, make sure that the default options are what you want. After all, what good is knowing what the weather is like when it isn't for where you are right now?

The Apple Watch will come with plenty of first-party apps from Apple, including Messages, Workouts, Activity, and more. There are default responses and goals, but you can also change these as you see fit.

With Messages, you can add custom message responses to your Apple Watch. This can sound more personal than the default canned responses, and you can have some fun with them too.

You can also customize workouts on your Apple Watch to display different metrics during your workout sessions. This is useful when you just want to see specific metrics and not every little thing that the Watch is tracking. And while the default goals for exercise and stand are pretty standard, you can tweak your Apple Watch goals to something that is more reasonably tailored to your lifestyle.

If you know others who also have an Apple Watch, you can use Activity Sharing to see how their progress is coming along each day. This also lets you compete with them too!

How to find apps for Apple Watch

Since watchOS 6, Apple added a dedicated App Store right on the Apple Watch itself. This means you no longer need to use your iPhone to find Apple Watch apps, but do keep in mind that the Apple Watch App Store is not as robust. Still, it's better than nothing — here's how to use the App Store on your Apple Watch. And once you find some apps you like, we can show you how to automatically install, rearrange, and delete apps on your Apple Watch. And if there are any issues, you can also force quit apps on the Apple Watch too.

In need of suggestions on Apple Watch apps? Yeah, we get it — you may feel a bit overwhelmed. We have some roundups of the best Apple Watch apps and third-party Apple Watch complications. And while the default Activity and Workouts apps are nice, there are tons of great health and fitness apps from other developers, and plenty of meditation apps if you need to unwind.

Accessorize your Apple Watch

Now, when it comes to customizing your Apple Watch, you don't just stop at the software. No, no, you must accessorize your Apple Watch with bands and accessories! There are a ton of different band choices out there, which not only add a new splash of color to your Apple Watch, but can dress it up for a night out in the town or when you have a professional business meeting. Plus, some bands work better for sweaty workout sessions, and you don't want to ruin your fancier bands. Other Apple Watch accessories can help protect the screen or casing, provide you with a more convenient way to charge, and more.

If you don't know where to start, make sure to check out what we recommend for some of the best Apple Watch bands and accessories out there.

Troubleshooting Apple Watch

As fantastic as the Apple Watch is, it's definitely not perfect. Sometimes things just don't work the way you need or want them to, and issues arise. If you have a basic problem, make sure to first check out our Apple Watch troubleshooting guide first.

If those steps did not help, then you may need to try some other actions, like restarting and resetting your Apple Watch. But of course, before you wipe out anything, you'll want to make sure you back up your Apple Watch first, so all of that data isn't lost. If all else fails, you might need to unpair your Apple Watch and then pair it up again.

But if you're still having problems, then we have solutions. Perhaps your Apple Watch just isn't connecting to your iPhone? Is auto-unlock not working? Or maybe you're having problems updating watchOS to the latest version, or have a stuck app install. No worries — we have you covered with all of our troubleshooting guides.

We all want the best battery life on our devices, right? You may feel that your Apple Watch isn't getting the best battery life these days, and if that's the case, it's okay. Batteries drain over time, but here are some solutions to fixing watchOS and Apple Watch battery life issues if they still persist. And always make sure that you're on the latest version of watchOS by updating the software. And if you ever lose your Apple Watch, make sure to find it with the Find My iPhone app.

For those who are getting a new iPhone 13 or other iPhone, you may be worried about how to pair an existing Apple Watch with a new iPhone. It's actually easy, and not as scary as it sounds. But if you're wondering if you can use one Apple Watch with multiple iPhones or even an Android, the short answer is no, you can't.

You can, however, switch between multiple Apple Watches. You may be wondering why you would want to use two or more Apple Watches. Perhaps you want one to wear during the day and one at night for sleep tracking. Or you have an aluminum model that you want to use for workouts, and a stainless steel or titanium model for fancier nights out. The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy your new Apple Watch

Now that you've gone through our Apple Watch beginner's guide, we hope you enjoy your new Apple Watch! It's definitely an amazing little device, and one that has improved the lives of many people.

The titanium and stainless steel versions of the Apple Watch Series 7 are nearly identical in every way. They both come in 41mm or 45mm sizes, and they are both made of harder metal than the aluminum Apple Watch. The differences are minor but might make all the difference in what you decide to buy.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: What are the differences?

For Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium, the case materials are so identical that there's no reason for me to lay the details out in a pretty little table, but I'm going to anyway, just to show you how similar they both are.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: Brushed vs. polished

One of the most significant deciding factors for most people will be whether to get the brushed metal look of the titanium Apple Watch Series 7 case or the polished look of the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 7. There are a couple of things to consider.

Do you worry about minor scuffs and scratches? If so, the brushed titanium hides micro-abrasions better. The high shine of stainless steel tends to reveal the slightest of scratches, slightly dulling the look over time. Do you want your Apple Watch to look as much like a piece of fine jewelry as possible? The polished stainless steel is more akin to the kind of luxury accessories you'll find at your local jewelers.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: Gold or not

Gold is hugely popular for Apple products, and in some cases, a rarity. The Apple Watch Series 7 is an example of that. You can get it in gold if you choose the aluminum or stainless steel models, but the titanium Apple Watch doesn't come in gold. If you're representing gold across all your Apple devices and don't want to break up the matched set, the stainless steel model is more your style.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: Hermés or go home

For those high-fashion fanatics, there's only one option. You can't get the Hermés Apple Watch (with the special watch face) in anything but stainless steel. Of course, if you don't care whether you have the official Hermés watch face, you can just buy a Hermés band to go with the Titanium Apple Watch.

There are plenty of beautiful third-party styles that you might think are the best Apple Watch bands anyway. So, you shouldn't worry too much about buying an Hermés Apple Watch.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: Price differential

The starting price of the stainless steel Apple Watch is $100 lower than the starting price of the titanium model, so if $100 more is a deal-breaker for you, don't get the titanium Apple Watch.

That being said, the only stainless steel Apple Watches that costs $699 are the ones that come with either the Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, or Sport Loop, so if you're planning on getting a leather band or Milanese Loop (or Hermés brand), you're upping the cost anyway.

Apple Watch stainless steel vs. titanium: Which should you get?

Your decision to go with stainless steel or titanium comes down to the following decisions. Do you want brushed or polished metal? Do you want it in gold? Do you want a Hermés watch face? Does $100 make a difference in your decision?

If you want the brushed metal look but something stronger than aluminum, then the titanium Apple Watch Series 7 is for you. If you want polished metal, a Hermés band, or simply want a strong metal for $100 cheaper than titanium, then the stainless steel watch is for you.

Apple Watch complications are a great way to see a variety of information at a glance — and your App Store apps can have complications of their very own, too. That means you can not only keep up on all your information right on the watch face, but you can launch directly into your favorite apps with just a tap!

Naturally, the complications work on the best Apple Watches, including the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE.

How to find App Store apps with Apple Watch complications

If you're looking for someplace to start on your watch face complications collection, we've compiled a list of the best Apple Watch complications for you.

How to add and remove Apple Watch complications from the Customize screen

By default, third-party apps that support complications will automatically appear in your list of options. If the list starts to get too long, though, you can remove some of them.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Complications under the My Watch tab.
3. Choose Edit in the upper right corner of the screen.

4. Tap the minus button (-) on the left, next to the app you want to remove from the list.
5. Select Remove.
6. Choose Done when finished.

To add a complication back in, follow the steps above, but instead tap the plus button (+) on the left next to the app under Do not include.

How to add Apple Watch complications via your Apple Watch

You can customize complications for every watch face right on your Apple Watch when you are on the go.

1. Press the Digital Crown to navigate to the watch face on your Apple Watch.
2. Press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode.
3. Select a watch face.
4. Tap Edit.
5. Swipe to the left until you reach the last customization option. This is the complications menu.

6. Tap a complication location.
7. Rotate the Digital Crown and scroll through complications to select one.
8. Repeat the two steps above for each complication location.
9. Press the Digital Crown to exit customization mode.
10. Tap the watch face when finished.

How to add Apple Watch complications via your iPhone

If customizing complications on your Apple Watch feels a bit awkward or uncomfortable, you can do the work on your iPhone instead.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Under the My Watch tab, swipe to the left or right to select a watch face.

3. Tap a complication location that you want to change.
4. Scroll through the complications to select one.
5. Repeat the two steps above for each complication location.

You will immediately see the changes to the complications on the watch face on your Apple Watch.

Don't forget to change the color and style of your Apple Watch faces

In addition to changing the complications on your Apple Watch, you can adjust your watch faces' colors and style. Getting a few new bands is also a great way to customize your Apple Watch look.

Updated August 2021: Updated for the current watchOS.

If you'd rather score a great Apple Watch deal than drop a bunch of cash on the latest model, you're probably going to be best served by going for a refurbished previous-gen device. That's exactly what Woot is offering today with Grade A-rated devices on sale from just $170. Various configurations, colors, and sizes are available while supplies last.

While Apple moved to the Apple Watch Series 6 late last year, and we're not a million miles from its next fall event, previous-gen Apple Watch models are still some of the best smartwatches on the market. If you are new to Apple Watch or just want a great entry-level device, they are still worth a look at these prices.

While we probably wouldn't recommend the Apple Watch Series 3 at this stage in the product's lifecycle, and with prices not too much lower in this sale than brand new, the sale features Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 devices that are still worth considering.

Both have an edge-to-edge display and offer EKG functionality, as well as Apple Watch's advanced health tracking, convenient notifications, and all of the features watchOS brings. The newer Series 5, from $270 in this sale, also has an always-on display making it function even better as a timepiece.

The devices at Woot are limited in supply, and some are already sold out, so don't miss out on the other models that still remain. All of the Apple Watch models are listed as Grade A refurbished condition which means they are guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage and have successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality. Their batteries are at minimum 85% capacity, too. Each is backed by a 90-day warranty.

Shipping is free at Woot if you log in with your Amazon Prime account. If you're not yet set up with Prime, you can start your 30-day free trial to save on shipping today and get in on all of the other benefits Amazon Prime has to offer.

Whether it's an app on your Apple Watch or the Watch itself that's giving you some trouble, you don't have to panic. All technology can act wonky sometimes, even if your brand new Apple Watch Series 6 is acting weird, there are some very common Apple Watch troubleshooting tips that may help you out. So take a deep breath, strap on your favorite Apple Watch band, and check out these tips for dealing with common Apple Watch issues.

My app is frozen

Frozen apps are one of the most common annoyances, and when it comes to Apple Watch troubleshooting, it's usually a pretty simple fix. If an app on your Apple Watch stops scrolling, responding, or otherwise being interactive, it may have locked up. You can try fixing this problem a couple of ways:

• Press the Digital Crown to try and return to the Apple Watch home screen, then relaunch the app from that home screen.
• If that doesn't work, try a force quit: Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until the sliders appear, then press and hold the Digital Crown until you return to the Home screen.

How to force quit apps on the Apple Watch

My Apple Watch is sluggish

The next important Apple Watch troubleshooting tip is knowing what to do if it slows down. If your Apple Watch is behaving erratically or lagging in multiple apps, it may need a restart. To restart your Watch, just follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the side button until the digital switches appear.
2. Slide the Power Off switch to the right to turn off your Apple Watch.
3. To restart the Watch once it turns off, hold down the side button until you see the Apple logo.

If a Watch restart doesn't fix your problem, you might try restarting your iPhone, too.

1. Hold the iPhone's On/Off button until you see the "slide to power off" switch.
2. Slide the "slide to power off" switch to the right.
3. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the On/Off button.

We also recommend checking the iPhone's Apple Watch app for any software updates you might have missed, as they often can solve bugs and improve performance.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Select the My Watch tab.
3. Tap General > Software Update to check for updates.

How to update the Watch OS software on your Apple Watch

My Apple Watch is frozen

If your Watch has locked up entirely, you can try either a traditional shutdown and restart or a force restart.

1. Press and hold the side button to attempt to bring up the Power Off screen.
2. If that works, slide the Power Off switch to the right to turn off your Apple Watch, then press the side button again to turn it back on.

If your Watch is unresponsive when you try to hold the side button, it's time for a forced reboot: Simultaneously hold down the side button and the Digital Crown until you see the Apple logo (it may take up to ten seconds).

My Apple Watch isn't seeing my iPhone or my network

If your Apple Watch is showing "disconnected" when you know by all rights it shouldn't be, here are a few steps you can try:

1. Make sure neither your iPhone nor your Apple Watch has Airplane mode enabled, and that your iPhone has Bluetooth turned on.
2. Try toggling Bluetooth off and on from your iPhone.
3. Restart your Apple Watch.
4. Restart your iPhone.

My Apple Watch's battery is mysteriously draining

Is your Watch's battery dying too early in the day for your liking? We put together a few tips to get the most out of your smartwatch without compromising on functionality.

My Apple Watch is still malfunctioning after a restart

If you've tried all these fixes and still can't make your Watch work, it may be time to try an erase and restore. Although this may sound like a huge hassle for Apple Watch troubleshooting, your iPhone automatically backs up your Apple Watch in the background during daily use. Losing data during a restore of your Appel Watch is very unlikely!

How to get service or a replacement for your Apple Watch

If a force restart doesn't do the trick, your Apple Watch may be well and truly bricked: If you still see a red exclamation point or permanent Apple logo, you'll need to contact Apple Support or make an appointment at an Apple Store.

Due to the Watch's sealed diagnostic port, Apple Support may have to send your watch to a depot location to fix it or replace your watch outright; thus, you may not be able to recover any information on your watch after it has been bricked.

Other questions?

Run into an issue we didn't address here? Ping us in the comments or on our iMore forums, and we'll try to take a crack at it.

Updated July 2021: Updated for the latest version of watchOS 7. Plus, all the steps are the same for watchOS 8 for the moment.

What you need to know

• Images of a black ceramic Apple Watch outer shell have appeared on Twitter.
• Apple only released a white ceramic Apple Watch Series 5 but this might mean a black one was considered.

Apple might have had plans to launch a black ceramic Apple Watch Series 5 to go along with the white one if new images shared to Twitter are any indication. The images show a black ceramic Apple Watch shell alongside a white one.

Shared by a prototype collector on Twitter, the images show just how stunning a black ceramic Apple Watch could have been. But given the white one cost $1,249 and up, it's unlikely a black version would have been any less costly.

It sure does look nice, though.

https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1405132162337107976

Apple prototypes and tests a ton of stuff that never finds its way to market and this could be another example of that. It's a shame though, because despite the high asking price few would argue against the ceramic Apple Watch being one of the better-looking ones. In fact, I'd argue it's the best Apple Watch the company has made to date.

With Apple set to announce a new Apple Watch later this year, there's always the chance we could see a return to ceramic, although it does appear unlikely. The Apple Watch Edition started at $1,249 and it's difficult to believe that Apple sold many of them. I've certainly never seen one in the wild, for example.

Would you buy a black ceramic Apple Watch Series 7 if it arrived this year? If money was no object, I know I would!

Those looking to score a great Apple Watch deal might be best served by going for a previous-generation model. If you can snag a refurbished Apple Watch, you can often get an even better deal. Today only, Woot has a variety of refurbished models on sale from just $124.99 in various sizes and colors giving you the chance to save.

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Apple Watch Series 6 models are available for some of their best prices ever right now. The lowest price is on the red 40mm version which is $70 off with 44mm and cellular models seeing discounts of up to $91.

While Apple moved to the Apple Watch Series 6 late last year, the previous-gen models are still some of the best smartwatches on the market and make for great entry-level devices for those just trying out their first wearable.

Take the Apple Watch Series 3, for example. It might not have all the new features of the latest Apple Watch, but it's still a worthy pick — especially at today's prices. You can score 38mm models starting at $124.99 or 42mm models starting at $139.99.

In our best Apple Watch guide, we still give the Series 3 model the title of best budget option. While it may have a slightly smaller display and is missing a few of the newest features, it's still a premium smartwatch that puts most others to shame. At over 50% less than the Series 6, it's worth some serious consideration if you're looking to keep the price low.

Other devices in the sale include the Apple Watch Series 4 with its edge-to-edge and EKG capabilities from $169.99 and the last-gen Apple Watch Series 5 from $259.99.

The devices at Woot are limited in supply, and some are already sold out, so don't miss out on the other models that still remain. All of the Apple Watch models are listed as refurbished 'scratch & dent' condition which means they may have some cosmetic imperfections but have been tested to ensure they work like new. Their batteries are at minimum 85% capacity, too. Each is backed by a 90-day warranty.

Shipping is free at Woot if you log in with your Amazon Prime account. If you're not yet set up with Prime, you can start your 30-day free trial to save on shipping today and get in on all of the other benefits Amazon Prime has to offer. With Amazon Prime Day coming up, now's the perfect time to start that free trial.

Late last year, Apple took the wraps off its all-new Apple Watch Series 6 model and, with the announcement, discontinued 2019's Apple Watch Series 5. Though the product has been officially removed from the product lineup, you can currently score a deal on one at Best Buy where various models are discounted by as much $300.

With prices from just $299 for the 40mm version and $329 for the 44mm model, this is as low as the Series 5 has ever gone outside of refurb deals. There's a wide variety of colors and styles available, including Nike+ and stainless steel models, and you'll also score six months of Apple's new Fitness+ service (worth $60) with your purchase. Select models are also discounted at Amazon.

Though no longer the latest model, the Series 5 is still a stellar smartwatch, and this discount lets you get some of the top-tier features for not much more than the more stripped-back Apple Watch SE.

It was the first Apple Watch to feature an always-on display, which the SE lacks, meaning you can check the time without a big arm movement. It's also capable of conducting an ECG, something the SE cannot do, plus all of the advanced fitness tracking and notifications of the models that came before it. It's got a built-in compass and 32GB of onboard storage for music, podcasts, and more.

If you're unsure of which Apple Watch is right for you, we've put together comparison guides between the Series 6 and Series 5 as well as the Apple Watch SE and Series 3.

Should you decide the newest model is the right choice for you, there are some great Apple Watch Series 6 deals ongoing right now and our roundup of all of the best Apple Watch deals covers sales on all models if you're still undecided.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a support document for Apple Watch Series 5 and SE customers with charging issues.
• Customers whose watch will not charge after going into Power Reserve can get a free repair.
• Apple has released watchOS 7.3.1 to fix the issue as well.

Today, Apple released watchOS 7.3.1, a small update but one that fixed a pretty critical charging issue affecting some customers with an Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE.

A new support document explains that the customers who are affected by the bug may find that they are unable to charge their Apple Watch once it goes into Power Reserve mode.

For customers who are still experiencing the problem after updating their Apple Watch Series 5 or Apple Watch SE to watchOS 7.3.1, Apple is offering to repair them for no cost.

If you are still having the issue, reach out to Apple Support to get your free repair.

Just a few months ago, Apple took the wraps off its all-new Apple Watch Series 6 model and, with the announcement, discontinued 2019's Apple Watch Series 5. Though the product has been officially removed from the product lineup, you can currently score some savings on one at Best Buy where the models are discounted by as much $300.

With prices from just $299 for the 40mm version and $329 for the 44m model, this is as low as the Series 5 has ever gone outside of refurb deals. There's a wide variety of colors and styles available, including Nike+ and stainless steel models, and you'll also score six months of Apple's new Fitness+ service (worth $60) with your purchase. Select models are also discounted at Amazon.

Though no longer the latest model, the Series 5 is still a stellar smartwatch, and this discount lets you get some of the top-tier features for not much more than the more stripped back SE.

It was the first Apple Watch to feature an always-on display, which the SE lacks, meaning you can check the time without a big arm movement. It's also capable of conducting an ECG, something the SE cannot do, plus all of the advanced fitness tracking and notifications of the models that came before it. It's got a built-in compass and 32GB of onboard storage for music, podcasts, and more.

If you're unsure of which Apple Watch is right for you, we've put together comparison guides between the Series 6 and Series 5 as well as the Apple Watch SE and Series 3.

Should you decide the newest model is the right choice for you, there are some exceptional Apple Watch Series 6 deals ongoing right now and our roundup of all of the best Apple Watch deals covers sales on all models if you're still undecided.

Apple only took the wraps off the Apple Watch Series 6 and we've seen some surprisingly good deals on it since its release. That being said, the best value Apple Watch deals often involve older generation models.

One such deal available right now includes the Apple Watch Series 5. Over at Back Market, you can score the refurbished 44m model for just $312 for a limited time. It's offered i excellent condition and includes a 1-year warranty. Versus buying brand new, you're saving over $100.

Though no longer the latest model, the Series 5 is still a stellar smartwatch, and this discount lets you get some of the top-tier features for not much more than the more stripped back SE.

It was the first Apple Watch to feature an always-on display, which the SE lacks, meaning you can check the time without a big arm movement. It's also capable of conducting an ECG, something the SE cannot do, plus all of the advanced fitness tracking and notifications of the models that came before it. It's got a built-in compass and 32GB of onboard storage for music, podcasts, and more.

If you're unsure of which Apple Watch is right for you, we've put together comparison guides between the Series 6 and Series 5 as well as the Apple Watch SE and Series 3.

Should you decide the newest model is the right choice for you, there are some exceptional Apple Watch Series 6 deals ongoing right now and our roundup of all of the best Apple Watch deals covers sales on all models if you're still undecided.

On Apple Watch, you can have dozens of different watch faces to fit your mood. But did you know that you can also have dozens of different colors to match your outfit? You can also change the style and settings of many watch faces with different font types and other aesthetics. Here's how to customize Apple Watch face colors and styles.

How to customize Apple Watch face colors and styles face via iPhone via Apple Watch

When you are on the go, you can make quick changes to your watch faces right on your Apple Watch.

1. Press the Digital Crown to navigate to the watch face on your Apple Watch.
2. Firmly press the watch face to enter customize mode.
3. Swipe left or right to select a watch face to customize.

4. Tap Edit.
5. Swipe to the right to the first screen. This is the style change screen.
   • Some faces only have one or two customization screens. The screens, in order, are Style, Color, and Complications.
6. Rotate the Digital Crown to change the watch face style.
   • This might be a typeface change, like the Numerical face, or a different time scale, like the Chronograph face. There are different styles for different faces.
7. Swipe to the left to access the color change screen.
   • Some faces only have one or two customization screens. If you only see a style screen, it means there is not a color change option. If you only see a color screen, it means there is not a style change option.
8. Press the Digital Crown to exit customize mode.
9. Tap the screen when finished.

How to customize Apple Watch face colors and styles face via iPhone

It is convenient to customize your watch face right on your Apple Watch, but it is much easier to do so on your iPhone.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the My Watch tab.
3. Choose a watch face under My Faces.
4. Select a color.
   • If you don't see a color option, that means the selected watch face does not support color changes.
5. Tap a style.
   • The style options might be typeface, time scale, or another design option.
   • If you don't see a style option, that means the selected watch face does not support style changes.

The color and style changes will automatically update on your Apple Watch.

Don't forget to add complications to your watch faces

In addition to changing the color and style of your watch faces, you can add third-party complications for even deeper productivity integration. Getting a few new bands is also a great way to customize your Apple Watch look.

If you don't want to pay full price up front for your new Apple Watch, you can get it on an installment plan from your carrier. While Apple doesn't offer its own Apple Watch installment plan (or an upgrade program, like it does for the iPhone), these plans are available from the three major U.S. cellular carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

These plans allow you to spread out the cost of your Apple Watch over anywhere from 24 to 30 months. This is especially helpful if you've got your eye on the more expensive stainless steel models. Each carrier has its own setup for their Apple Watch installment plans. Here's how they stack up.

Keep this in mind: currently, all four carriers only sell the aluminum and stainless steel versions of the Apple Watch Series 6. The titanium Edition watches are only available through Apple. Also, these watches generally come with the Sport Band, Sport Loop, or Milanese Loop. You may want to shop around for an Apple Watch band more to your liking.

Verizon

Whlie in previous years Verizon has opted to offer the Apple Watch at a higher monthly cost in exchange for a shorter overall payment period, for the Apple Watch Series 6, the carrier has opted to join the 24-month bandwagon. This brings down the cost of the monthly installments, though you'll still have paid full price for your Apple Watch when all is said and done.

Verizon offers most cellular models of the Apple Watch Series 6, including both the aluminum and stainless steel versions, as well as the Apple Watch SE. The Hermès models are not available from any carrier.

Here's what Verizon's Apple Watch pricing looks like for the Apple Watch Series 6:

• 40mm Aluminum: $20.83/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $22.08/mo.
• 40mm Stainless Steel: $29.16/mo.
• 44mm Stainless Steel: $31.24/mo.
• 40mm Stainless Steel w/Milanese Loop: $31.24/mo.
• 44mm Stainless Steel w/Milanese Loop: $33.33/mo.

Meanwhile, beacause the Apple Watch SE as sold by Verizon only comes with a few band types, and the watch only comes in aluminum the pricing for the Apple Watch SE is pretty simple:

• 40mm Aluminum: $13.74/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $14.99/mo.

Unless otherwise noted, these watches all come with either a Sport Band or a Sport Loop.

See at Verizon

AT&T

AT&T offers lower monthly payments than Verizon, but you'll be paying off your watch over the course of 30 months. For the Apple Watch Series 6, AT&T offers the 40mm watch in both aluminum and stainless steel in all available colors. The Apple Watch SE is also available in all colors.

The pricing for the Apple Watch Series 6 breaks down like this:

• 40mm Aluminum: $16.67/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $17.67/mo.
• 40mm Stainless Steel: $23.34/mo.
• 44mm Stainless Steel: $25/mo.
• 40mm Stainless Steel w/Milanese Loop: $25/mo.
• 44mm Stainless Steel w/Milanese Loop: $26.67/mo.

And for the Apple Watch SE:

• 40mm Aluminum: $11/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $44/mo.

See at AT&T

T-Mobile

T-Mobile's payments work a bit differently compared to those from other carriers. While you still pay a different amount per month depending on the size of your Apple Watch, if you pick up a stainless steel watch, you will pay the same each month for both the 40mm and 44mm models. This also probably has to do with the up-front payment you'll also need to make when buying a stainless steel Apple Watch, which is $171.99 for the 40mm watch and either $221.99 or $271.99 for the 44mm version, with the larger price being for those watches that come with a Milanese Loop.

• 40mm Aluminum: $20.84/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $22.09/mo.
• 40mm Stainless Steel: $22/mo.
• 44mm Stainless Steel: $22/mo.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE prices, featuring no up-front cost, are as follows:

• 40mm Aluminum: $13.75/mo.
• 44mm Aluminum: $15/mo.

See at T-Mobile

Questions?

If there's anything else you want to know about buying an Apple Watch Series 6 on an installment plan, let us know in the comments.

Updated September 2020: Updated for Apple Watch SE (2020) and Apple Watch Series 6.

When you move to a new Apple Watch or new iPhone, or even if you're just nervous about updating to iOS 14 or watchOS 7, one thing you need to keep an eye on is your health data. Because it's a very private set of information, it's available as an optional set of data to sync to iCloud in iOS 11 and later and via encrypted iCloud, macOS, and iTunes backups. If you want to move to a new device, however, you'll need to decide how to bring that information over.

This is what you should know about how to transfer health data from your old devices to your new ones.

Option 1: Back up your health data with an encrypted iCloud or Mac backup

While the Apple Watch doesn't make a backup in the "true" sense of the word, it does sync Health data to your iPhone's health repository, along with saving watch faces and the like as a package inside of your iPhone backup. To recover your health data, you'll need to make a backup of your Health repository — and that means making an iPhone backup.

You create encrypted iCloud backups whenever you back up to iCloud with your iPhone, but creating encrypted backups with your Mac is a bit of a different beast. Here's how to do it.

In macOS Catalina, backing up to iTunes is no longer an option, as that app's functions have now been split into the Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. The device backup feature, meanwhile, resides in Finder on Mac. Here's what you need to do to back up there.

1. Connect your device to your Mac.
2. Click the Finder icon in the dock.
3. Click on your device under Locations in the Finder sidebar.

4. Click the checkbox next to Encrypt Local Backups if it's not already checked.
5. Click Back Up Now to manually initiate a backup.

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer via USB.
2. Open iTunes
3. Click on the device icon in the tab bar.

4. Click Summary if you're not already in that section.
5. Click the checkbox next to Encrypt iPhone/iPad backup. This will allow your Health data to be backed up.

6. Back Up Now under Manually Back Up and Restore.

Option 2: Sync with iCloud

Apple offers encrypted syncing of your Health data to iCloud, just as it stores your notes, keychain, and other information. Before you decide to go down this route, however, you'll want to make sure both your iPhone and your Apple Watch are updated to at the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, respectively.

How to sync your Health data with iCloud

Once enabled, iCloud will sync your health data; if you decide to set up a new iPhone before setting up a new Apple Watch, you should be able to sync that over to your Apple Watch with no problem.

Option 3: Use the iOS local data migration tool

Starting with iOS 12.4, Apple introduced a new way to securely transfer data directly between devices over Wi-Fi or through a direct, wired connection using a Lightning-to-USB adapter. This method is available to you when you use Apple's quick transfer method when setting up a new iPhone.

How to use iPhone-to-iPhone migration

What now?

Once you've set up a plan for restoring your health data on a new iPhone or new Apple Watch, you can start the upgrade process. Be sure to follow our guides to restoring your Apple Watch or iPhone from backup, as well as how to sync your Health data.

Questions?

Have any questions about how to transfer health data to a new iPhone or Apple Watch? Let us know down in the comments.

Updated September 2020: Updated for iOS 14. Serenity Caldwell contributed to an earlier version of this article.

The Apple Watch Series 6 has a few exciting and great new features, and you may be thinking it's time to swap out that old one on your wrist for the shiny new one. Upgrading to the Apple Watch Series 6 is a straightforward process, but we have a few tips on how to make the transition as seamless as possible.

How to prepare your old Apple Watch for sale or trade-in

The majority of your Apple Watch's data lives on your iPhone, so it's not a particularly complicated process to prepare your watch for a potential buyer or relative; however, you're going to want to make sure you unpair it from your current phone and delete it from your iCloud account properly.

• How to prepare your old Apple Watch for sale

How to sell your Apple Watch

If you're looking to upgrade to a new Apple Watch Series 6, switch between aluminum or stainless steel, or simply aren't using your Watch anymore and want to find it a new home, selling it can help you earn back some cash. While there aren't as many places to sell your old Apple Watch as there is your old iPhone, there are still a few worth checking out.

• How to sell your Apple Watch

How to pre-order the Apple Watch Series 6

While you can't walk into an Apple Store this instant and buy the new Apple Watch until the end of the week, you can order the Apple Watch Series 6 right now! Though the latest models will be in stock and in stores on Sept. 18, there's no guarantee your local retailer will have the exact model and style you want. That's why ordering is key!

Unfortunately, you likely will have to wait for your order longer than September 18 now as orders went live right after the September 15 event.

Which size of the Apple Watch Series 6 should you get?

Apple Watch Series 5 comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. A couple of millimeters here or there might not sound like a lot, but at watch size, it makes a huge difference. The new small watch now has a screen that's slightly bigger than the old big watch, and the big watch has a bigger screen than ever before. And yeah, that's for the aluminum, steel, Nike+, and Hermès versions. All of them.

That might make choosing more complicated than ever. But don't worry, we got you. Here's how to pick the perfect size for you!

• Apple Watch Series 6 size: Should you buy the 40mm or 44mm?

Setting up your Apple Watch Series 6

The Apple Watch and iPhone may be two distinctly different pieces of hardware, but one can't exist without the other. When you buy a new Apple Watch, turning it on is only the first step — next comes pairing it with an iPhone.

When it comes time to pair your Apple Watch Series 6 with your iPhone, you'll need to use the Apple Watch app for iOS.

• How to set up a new Apple Watch

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about how to upgrade to the new Apple Watch Series 6? Let me know in the comments, and I'll answer as soon as I can.

Updated September 2020: Updated for the Apple Watch Series 6.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 5 was the best-selling smartwatch in the U.S. in Q2.
• That's according to new figures from Canalys.
• Apple holds a 37.6% share of the market.

New figures from research firm Canalys suggest that the Apple Watch Series 5 was the best-selling smartwatch in the U.S. in Q2 of 2020.

A new report states that the value of the North American market remains stagnant despite rising shipments due to falling average selling prices:

North America was one of only two regions to experience growth in the quarter compared to the same period last year. Apple reportedly shipped 3.2 million units in Q2 of 2020, up on the same period last year and enough to net the company a 37.6% share of the market. The next closest competitor, Fitbit, by comparison only shipped half that amount for a 19.3% share. Canalys estimates state that on average in North America, Apple outshipped other major smartwatch brands by a ratio fo 7:1.

Apple is expected to release a new Apple Watch Series 6 as early as next week featuring upgraded internals, blood oxygen monitoring and sleep tracking thanks to watchOS 7.

With anxiety tracking for mental health monitoring also a rumored feature, Canalys says that moving into 2021 "medical-oriented devices will move certain products into an elevated tier, creating stronger differentiation between casual fitness and advanced health tracking."

Recently, stock levels of Apple Watch Series 5 have been in slow supply suggesting a release is imminent.

What you need to know

• Apple is expected to announce Apple Watch Series 6 soon.
• Stocks of Apple Watch Series 5 models are already starting to run out.
• That's usually an indication that an announcement is coming soon.

Stocks of Apple Watch Series 5 models are already beginning to run out, suggesting that a new model is coming sooner rather than later.

We are already expecting Apple to announce Apple Watch Series 6 within the next few weeks, but the exact timing isn't known. However, with Apple Watch Series 5 stocks already in short supply it's likely that Apple is selling through its existing inventory with the replacement model on the horizon.

As many people have noted, stocks of almost every Apple Watch Series 5 are extremely limited for both online order and in-store collection. All of the higher-end models are currently out of stock in particular.

We're also likely to see new iPads alongside new Apple Watches, although the timing is less than clear right now. Apple's usual September event is up in the air given the news iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro won't ship until October. It's possible two online media events could take place, or Apple could announce the iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches together with various shipping dates.

Amazon's latest sale on the Apple Watch is offering some of the lowest prices yet on Series 5 models. Nearly every model is discounted by almost $100 currently, though with prices this low, some configurations have already sold out. Luckily, there's still plenty to choose from with prices starting at $299.99 for 40mm models and $329.99 for 44mm models. Amazon includes free shipping on these orders, though you might get your new smartwatch more quickly with Amazon Prime

If you're looking for a great Apple Watch deal, these limited-time price drops are well worth jumping on right now. The most affordable options are the 40mm GPS-only aluminum models, each dropping down to $299.99. You'll see the final discount at checkout. That's within $1 of the lowest the entry-level model has ever gone at $99 off. That same discount is available on the 44mm aluminum models, too, taking their prices down to $329.99.

With all the money you save, you can snap up a bunch of these great Apple Watch accessories as well. Some GPS + Cellular models are also on sale, though the discounts aren't as hefty right now.

Apple Watch Series 5's biggest upgrade is its new always-on display. It allows you to check the time without a big arm movement, unlike previous models. There are other upgrades like a built-in compass, boosted 32GB storage, improved S5 processor, plus all of the health and fitness smarts of the previous-generation model.

If you're unsure whether to upgrade from the Series 4 to the Series 5, check out our handy guide. We also have an in-depth Apple Watch Series 5 review that's got all the details on the latest model.

It's been five years since the first Apple Watch was sold. As an early adopter, I can't remember a time when I didn't own one. Since my stainless steel Series 0 arrived in April 2015 until now with my Series 5 model, I've worn an Apple Watch every day. The only time I'm not wearing my device is when it's being charged daily before bedtime.

Two weeks ago, my daily routine abruptly changed, however.

After an early evening walk, my Apple Watch had a 40% charge. An hour later, it was dead. Dumbfounded, I put the watch on the charger. Once it rebooted, the device again showed a 40% charge. Eventually, the battery climbed to 100% during the charging process, and this is where it sat for two to three hours during regular use.

Groundhog Day

This annoying behavior has continued, rinse, and repeat every day. Sometimes it's 40%, other days, 56%. No matter the day, my Apple Watch always goes black somewhere between 40% and 60%. After receiving a full charge, the watch's battery indicator freezes at 100% for hours before slowly dropping.

Under normal conditions, when I have an issue with an Apple product, I head to a store. With COVIN-19 stay-at-home orders still in place, stores remain closed, so I contacted the company through the Apple Support app instead.

It took 60 minutes of an aggravating back and forth, which included the running of a diagnostics test for Apple to conclude there was nothing wrong with the watch's battery. Instead, it blamed the watchOS beta installed on my device for the weird actions.

At the time, this sounded like a reasonable conclusion. Unfortunately, the problem continued even after I installed new public updates on both my watch and iPhone, which was one of Apple's suggested solutions moving forward.

Larger problem?

Rather than contacting Apple Support again, I have spent the last few days looking for a solution online. After doing more Google searches than I want to remember, it's clear I'm not the only one have this issue with the Apple Watch Series 5. Perhaps more distressing, it looks like the problem has affected other Apple Watch models going back to the Series 0 in 2015!

Unfortunately, this five-year-old problem doesn't have a concrete solution, although there are lots of DIY tips online.

Among those tips I found and performed, in no particular order:

• Reboot the Apple Watch and attached iPhone
• Un-pair the watch from your iPhone, then pair it again
• Update the software on both devices, removing betas
• Use a different charger
• Reboot ONLY the iPhone and see if that resets the battery indicator on the watch
• When the Apple Watch's battery indicator drops below 60%, place the wearable on the charger before the wearable device can crash; fully charge before using it again.

Would-be solutions I didn't try include:

• Uninstall third-party apps on the watch
• Place the watch in a freezer for a few minutes
• Send the watch back to Apple for a fix or replacement
• On Apple Watch Series 5 only, turn off the Always-On display

At this point, I'm at a loss and don't know which direction to take next. I could again contact Apple or wait until the pandemic passes to get further guidance in person with someone from Apple. The watch is still on warranty so that option is probably the most practical.

I'm less inclined to turn my watch into a popsicle and hate the idea of uninstalling third-party apps that Apple should have already tested for compatibility. However, these are strange times across the board, so perhaps I'll try these tips soon.

Finally, I could turn off the Always-On display and hope for a breakthrough. Performing this step was initially suggested by the Apple representative before she blamed the watchOS beta for the battery issue. At the time, I thought the suggestion was ridiculous since the often-advertised Always-On display is one of the few features that separate the Series 5 from the Apple Watch Series 4. If turning the feature off becomes the accepted solution for Series 5 users, count me among the millions who should file a class-action lawsuit against the iPhone maker.

For now, I've decided to ride this out and wait for a future watchOS update to resolve the issue. While doing so, I'll charge my watch whenever it drops below 60%, so it doesn't crash. Yes, this is a band-aid fix, at best, and an unacceptable one for an Apple device.

If you're experiencing similar battery issues on your Apple Watch, I strongly recommend visiting one or more of the many discussion groups where this is being discussed online, including:

• My Apple Watch's battery is stuck at 100% and suddenly turns off in 5-6 hours
• Battery Indicator Incorrect on Series 5 Apple Watch
• Apple Watch Battery Percentage Is Incorrect
• Battery Indicator stuck at 100% All day

Though

As I and others wait for a real solution, I'd like to hear from you. If you have (or had) a battery issue with your Apple Watch Series like the one described above, let us know below. Did you find a solution?

What you need to know

• Some Nike Apple Watch Series 5 users have noticed a weird problem.
• The Hybrid Hybrid watch face has a secret – it likes to move digits.
• Users have noticed fill effects don't match their outlines.

Some owners of Nike Apple Watch Series 5 wearables have noticed a weird bug that only seems to affect the Hybrid Nike watch face. According to multiple Reddit reports – and photos – sometimes a digit's fill effect doesn't match its outline, causing a strange shadow-like look. Other times, the whole ething just moves around.

It actually looks pretty cool in some instances. Or at least it would if it did it to all of the digits, but it doesn't. Instead, it seems to primarily affect digits beside a '1'. Check it out in the header image. A less obvious example, this time of a whole digit moving, is below, too.

Restarting the watch doesn't seem to improve matters, so it's a big shrug from me. The first Reddit post detailing this is from four months ago so it isn't a new problem. Another is from yesterday, so it isn't one that's been fixed, either.

Granted, this isn't high on the list of things that Apple needs to fix but it's another bug that really shouldn't be happening. I get it, software is hard. But when you've made a watch that can track everything from your steps to your heart health, surely making digits look correct is the low hanging fruit, right?

Have you had problems like this? Shout out in the comments if you have.

What you need to know

• Apple is now offering Apple Watch Series 5 as refurbished.
• Fifteen configurations are currently available on its Certified Refurbished store.
• Customers can grab savings from $60 to $110 off models.

Apple Watch Series 5 has been on sale since September of last year, and Series 6 seems to still be set for a release this coming fall. The Series 5 added new features like the always-on display and built-in compass for more accurate GPS navigation.

Now, it appears Apple has refurbished models ready for sale as well. Today, Apple has added a number of refurbished Series 5 Apple Watches to its Certified Refurbished store. There are currently fifteen different configurations available.

Prices range from $339 for the 40mm aluminum model with GPS only all the way up to $639 for a 44mm stainless steel model with both GPS and cellular connectivity. A full break down

• 40mm Aluminum, GPS only: Available in Space Gray and Gold for $339 (Save $60)
• 40mm Aluminum, GPS + Cellular: Available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold for $419 (Save $80)
• 44mm Aluminum, GPS only: Available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold for $369 ($Save 60)
• 44mm Aluminum, GPS + Cellular: Available in Space Gray and Gold for $449 (Save $80)
• 40mm Stainless Steel, GPS + Cellular: Available in Silver and Gold for $599 (Save $100)
• 44mm Stainless Steel, GPS + Cellular: Available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold for $639 (Save $110)

Some configurations are currently unavailable. For example, stainless steel models are currently available in a GPS + Cellular only configuration. Certain models are also missing out on certain colors. The 40mm aluminum model in GPS, for instance, is currently not available in silver.

Inventory on Apple's Certified Refurbished store is always going fast, as Apple's process for fixing up these products is probably the best in the industry. Most come with new outer cases and batteries, so you really feel like you're getting a new Apple Watch when you open the box.

Apple's latest smartwatch has been available since late 2019 and we've already seen some solid savings on it, particularly through the holiday shopping season. However, some steep discounts have returned to a whole host of Apple Watch Series 5 models at Best Buy today with $50 pretty much all configurations there.

The discounts we're seeing today are new lows for some of the entry-level models and just shy of their best-ever prices in other cases. Select deals are also matched at Amazon. These are well worth jumping on if you missed the sales late last year.

The most affordable options are the 40mm aluminum models, each dropping down to $349. That's the lowest the entry-level model has ever gone at $50 off. That same discount is available on the 44mm aluminum models, too, taking their prices down to $379.

Unlike a lot of Apple Watch sales we've seen in the past, the popular Nike+ models are even included here with $50 off their regular prices. If you plan to use your Apple Watch for fitness tracking, these have some neat extra Nike-exclusive features and come with a sporty band. Higher-tier Apple Watch devices are also $50 off, such as cellular models and stainless steel versions so be sure to click through the options to find your favorite style.

Potentially the best part of this deal is the bundle offer with the Powerbeats Pro. Best Buy is offering $50 off the true wireless earphones when purchased at the same time as an Apple Watch Series 5. Given that these earphones are already $50 off there, you're actually saving $100 on their retail price with this offer. With all the money you save, you can snap up a bunch of these great Apple Watch accessories as well.

Apple Watch Series 5's biggest upgrade is its new always-on display. It allows you to check the time without a big arm movement, unlike previous models. There are other upgrades like a built-in compass, boosted 32GB storage, improved S5 processor, plus all of the health and fitness smarts of the previous-generation model. If you're unsure whether to upgrade from the Series 4 to the Series 5, check out our handy guide.

What you need to know

• The cellular Apple Watch Series 5 is "coming soon" to South Africa.
• Vodacom will be the sole supporting carrier.
• Until now, only the GPS-only variant has been available.

Apple's cellular Series 5 Apple Watch is "coming soon" to South Africa exclusively with carrier Vodacom.

According to the carrier's website, Series 5 is "coming soon" to the carrier. as MyBroadband:

Vodacom's eSIM plan is called OneNumber and allows users to keep their number the same on devices using an eSIM. You'll need to sign up for a contract linked to an existing Vodacom plan, and its eSIM plan costs R25 a month.

Apple announced the Series 5 Apple Watch back in September, featuring an always-on display, faster performance, built-in ECG and optional LTE connectivity. The GPS+ Cellular version of Apple Watch allows you to stream Apple Music and Podcasts and make and receive calls all without your iPhone. It also supports international emergency calling even if you don't have an active cellular plan. Of course, there's a price to pay for the added functionality, but for many, the added bonus of not being tethered to a phone is a big one.

For a full rundown of the pros and cons of Apple Watch GPS vs GPS+ Cellular, you can check out our full guide here.

Apple Watch Series 5 takes the world's best health and fitness tracker and motivator, connected communications and emergency contact band, and wearable computer platform, and brings it all back full circle — into just what might be the world's best watch.

To find out, I've been testing a space gray aluminum Apple Watch Series 5 running watchOS 6.0 for just about a week, both while traveling in Cupertino California and here at home in Montreal Canada.

Apple Watch Series 4: In Brief

• Big, always-on display
• Fast performance
• Compass, health & fitness tracking
• Built-in ECG, fall detection, emergency calling
• Optional LTE connectivity
• All-day battery life

• Android compatibility
• Custom watch faces
• Week-long battery life

Now, always on might not sound like a big deal, but it's been one of the biggest knocks on this gizmo since launch. I've mentioned it in every review since and so has almost every reviewer else.

While it's tempting to exclamation point that with an "obviously" or "finally", when you look back at how battery and binary constrained the original Apple Watch was, it's not surprising it took a while.

There was a shortlist of major features that were missing and Apple has spent each year, every year since, knocking them off.

Series 2 brought the power needed to make apps native. Series 3 added cellular connectivity. Series 4 pushed the display out to the edges. And now, Series 5 lets that display stay on all the time.

It lets the watch, you know, be a watch.

If you already have a Series 4 you may not think that's worth upgrading to. For me, even if it was the only new feature — and it isn't — it totally would be. But I can certainly sympathize with that point of view.

Thing is, though. Most people in this world don't have a Series 4. Or any series.

Despite being the most popular watch and fitness tracker in the world, and product that's probably already bigger than the iPod at its height, the vast majority of people still don't have even one. Never mind Series 1.

And it's for them, the first-timers as much as the upgraders, that Apple has been knocking those items off the list.

So, that's how I'm going to approach this review. All the little details current Apple Watch owners demand, so they can figure out when and if they should upgrade, but also what's cool and compelling for those still sitting on the sidelines, watching, waiting, trying to decide when to take the plunge. And how.

Starting with the always-on display.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Always on display

In typical Apple fashion, they're not first to this. But they just might be best. There's no secondary display layer. No monochrome veneer. No special mode to turn on or turn off. No separate, kinda 1980s alarm-clock looking face to be stuck with. There's just the existing watch faces. All of them. All now available in always on.

Here's how it works. Previously, when you weren't using your Apple Watch, when you weren't interacting with it or tapping or turning it towards you so you could interact with it, it would go to sleep.

And it still does exactly the same thing now.

Only sleep no longer means the display turning off. Now it means the display staying on, but in ultra low power mode.

It's made possible by the low-temperature poly-silicon and oxide — or LPTO — display. It lets the Apple Watch dynamically adjust the refresh rate from the normal 60Hz all the way down to 1Hz.

It's connected to a new, low-power display driver and high efficiency, integrated power management circuit, all controlled by a new ambient light sensor.

That's on the hardware side. On the software side, the Apple Watch team has crafted low power versions of all the watch faces.

Low power, in that, more costly animations like second hands and digits, Mickey and Minnie footy taps, and the like either disappear or stop moving. Bright colors dim. Costly fills dim all the way down, adding faint outlines to stay legible. Photos fade, and animations like butterflies and Buzz Lightyear go away.

And that's it. That's how they stay until you wake them up again, just like the Apple Watch has always woken up.

Since the moment Apple announced this feature I've had a lot of people asking me if you could turn it off, some for power reasons, some for privacy.

So, yes, you absolutely can. Just go into settings, brightness and display, and kill it any and every time you want to.

But, here's the thing, you may just discover you don't want or ever really need to.

First, if you're thinking normal 18-ish hour battery life with always on display means even better battery life with always on off, you'd be technically correct but far, far overestimating the actual difference it makes.

Apple says it's not a significant amount, much less life changing, and in my limited tests it wasn't even so much that I remembered to mark it down. Of course, your needs and ability to notice might vary, just consider the utility.

If you turn the watch off completely, it'll stay charged for months, for all the good it will do you. Battery is there to be spent.

Second, if you're worried about privacy, Apple has built in a series of considerations for you to… well, consider.

If you're worried about someone seeing a potentially sensitive notification, don't be.

Notifications don't animate in in low power mode. All you get is the tap or the tone and, if you want to see the banner, you have to wake the watch first.

If you're worried about someone seeing sensitive health or personal information in a complication, don't be.

You can go into settings, display & brightness, and hide sensitive complications too. Then, instead of dimming in always on mode, they disappear completely.

If you're worried about low power, even dimmed, being annoying in a theater or bedroom or wherever, if the ambient light sensor detects a particularly dark room, it'll dim the watch even more. If that's still not enough, you can always open control center and flip on theater mode to temporarily turn off the display entirely.

If you think it might be confusing, that because you can see the screen, just dim, in always on mode, you'll try to tap controls while the watch is still asleep… well, you're right.

If you don't turn your wrist first to wake your watch, the first tap won't activate the control, it'll wake the watch. And, because it's dim and not black, your brain will act like one plus one suddenly equalled a cheese danish.

You just have to plough through the initial, awkward adjustment period and keep going.

And if, after hearing all that, you still want to turn off the always on, hit me up in the comments and let me know why. I'm genuinely curious.

Apple has also extended always on to the workout app and for all workouts. That way, if you're doing anything, stretching, swimming, whatever, you can see your stats without having to reach for your watch… even in the pool.

But, Apple hasn't extended always on to any other app. So, if you're in an app and you cover the display to put your watch to sleep, it'll just jump back to the watch face and go into always on mode from there.

And, when you wake it, you'll stay on the face.

If your watch goes to sleep on its own, it'll blur and dim out the app, just so no personal data leaks out, and transparently layer a simple, digital time stamp at the top right.

And, when you wake it, you'll still be on the app.

It's an incredibly considerate user experience that I'm still getting used to. Being able to just glance at the time without having to move my arm or risk offending anyone I'm with, is transformative.

But it's also a little showy offy.

Now, when I go out, especially if it's someplace formal or fancy, I put a lot more thought into my watch face because I know other people might see it. Likewise if I'm going somewhere fun.

Usually, during the week, infographic modular is my go to. It's basically the dashboard for my day. But now, if I'm meeting people for lunch, or I just want to give my god kids a laugh, I'll swipe over to the new Meridian or California-in-lieu of Hermes. Even Solar or Mickey.

Almost the way a traditional watch collector might mull their collection before choosing their look for the day.

That might well fade with the novelty, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. So much.

I've wanted always-on since day one. In hindsight, I wouldn't have traded any of the other features Apple front loaded first, like cellular or the edge-to-edge display. But I'm incredibly glad always-on is here and I'm even happier with how it's finally arrived.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Digital compass

Every year, when Apple introduces the new Apple Watch, they introduce the new S-series System-in-Package, or SiP along with it. That's basically the entire computer that runs the watch, all shrunk down and layered up together.

With Apple Watch Series 2, the S2 went dual-core. With Apple Watch Series 4, the S4 went 64-bit. With Apple Watch Series 5, the S5 is going… well, wherever the hell it wants, because now it's got a magnetometer — a digital compass and knows about direction.

Sorry, yeah. As silicon updates go, it's not just the breaking of Moore's law. It's the temporary cancellation of it.

But Series 5 isn't about performance. We've got that. And it's not about efficiency. The display system is handling that this year. It's just about maintaining everything else while always-on gets layer on top.

At least I hope that's what it's about.

With the A-Series system-on-a-chip, the one used in the iPhone and iPad, Apple has a lot of competition. Samsung, Huawei, Qualcomm, maybe even Intel if you want to look further out.

With watches, they really don't have any.

That's because it's incredibly expensive to make silicon for wearables. So expensive, Apple's one of the few companies that do it and the only company to my knowledge doing it well.

Other companies have reheated old phone chips, then reheated them again. But they simply don't have enough demand from enough customers to have enough budget to do much else right now.

And that's a shame, because completion is a benefit for everyone. It gives us more choice and it gives manufacturers more pressure.

Apple is usually really good about competing with themselves, so hopefully this is just a lull before the next leap. Because, even with always on, we're still not all the way through the list yet.

Not until Apple Watch is stand alone, can stay charged for a week, or both. No pressure.

There is a next-generation version of Apple's W3 chip inside, which handles all the radio communication for the Watch as efficiently and performantly as possible.

And the compass is cool. I was kind of blasé about it initially, because we've had one in the iPhone since the 3GS and I don't really think about it any more. But having it on the watch now has made me realize all the stuff it does and all the stuff the Watch hasn't been doing all this time without one.

Sure, there's a compass app, which is fun and probably beneficial for hikers and campers. (Though the app will quickly point out that it can be affected by magnetic watch bands, if you wear one.) There's also an API, an application programming interface so developers can use it in their own apps. Some are just ok, like food apps pointing you at the restaurant you're reading about. Others are blow away, like astronomy apps highlighting the stars.

It also adds valuable metrics to to workouts, including incline, elevation, and latitude and longitude. And, when combined with GPS, the barometric altimeter, topographical map data, and Wi-Fi, if any, it can show your altitude for hiking, running, and biking workouts as well.

By far, though, my favorite use so far has just been direction in the Maps app. While I was doing the battery life testing for the iPhones 11, I got run down, and so went into Victor Rose coffee for some of the last cold brew of the season.

The line was long, so by the time I got out, my friends had moved on.

Thinking quickly, I told Siri to find Georgia and a few moments later, the map popped up and the directions appeared on my wrist.

I started walking only to realize almost immediately, thanks to the brand new compass on the Apple Watch, that I was going the wrong way.

So, I turned around, turned the corner, and there they were.

Some features are big and fill in huge, hulking gaps. That's always on display. Others are small and serve more to round things out. This is that.

A digital compass nice to have that turns out to be really nice to have.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Emergency everywhere

When the Apple Watch got cellular networking, it came with a couple of huge caveats: because of its tiny, tiny size, it couldn't connect to enough radio bands to work in more than one place at a time. Apple had to basically make different models to support different parts of the world. And that meant no roaming.

Except, now, for Series 5, Apple has managed to squeeze in just enough bands, like one per region, to support very, very limited international calling.

International emergency calling, to be specific.

It works almost everywhere — over 150 countries, according to Apple, — even when your phone isn't nearby to piggy back off of.

It does require a cellular-capable Apple Watch, because it needs that modem. But, it works even if you've never activated the watch on a cellular plan and have no existing service.

It's just there. All the time. Ready and waiting to help if your Apple Watch detects a fall or you hit SOS. At home, or abroad.

And that opens up an entirely new roll for the device as an always available emergency beacon, everywhere.

I got a few family members the Series 4 last year just for the fall detection and SOS, so the rest of us wouldn't have to worry so much. Now, I kinda want to swap a couple of them out for the Series 5, the ones that live alone or travel a lot.

I've said it countless times already, but I consider Apple Watch the most important device Apple has ever made because it deliberately, intentionally, by design, saves lives.

International emergency calling is just one more in an increasingly long list of ways Apple is leading that charge.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: watchOS 6

I'm not going to spend too much time on watchOS 6 right now because, one, it's so good it really deserves its own review and two, it's coming to every Apple Watch with the exception of the original, so locking it up here with the new hardware really doesn't serve existing users.

So, more on the bits later. Let's talk about the atoms.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Titanium & Ceramic

There are a few new finishes coming to Apple Watch Series 5. Not aluminum or Nike, alas. Those are pretty much the same silver and space gray for both, and annual shade of gold for the regular, non-Nike. The Nike gold would be pretty good. As would some iPhone 11 style Product Red.

Steel comes in the same polished and DLC-coated space black as it has since launch, though this year Hermes also offers the space black option. And it looks black fire.

White fire is the triumphantly returning Ceramic Edition, which debuted with Apple Watch Series 2 but vanished last year on the Series 4.

Brand new for Apple Watch Series 5 is the Titanium. Lighter and stronger than steel, it comes in a similar DLC-coated space Black, but also in a new brushed metal, with a special surface treatment created by Apple to be as fingerprint and stain resistant as the black.

It's branded as an Edition despite being only a hundred bucks more expensive than the steel because Edition is where Apple's materials team gets to come out and play.

It's watchy-watch stuff for watch-watch lovers, inside Apple and out. And it's just so exactly what makes Apple Apple and the Watch a watch.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Bands & Studio

Apple releases new, seasonal bands for Apple Watch every spring, summer, and fall. In the beginning there were also new styles every year. Now, it's mostly about new colors and combinations.

Like I said in the hands-on, there's no ceramic or titanium bracelet, which is a drag. I'd love to see them.

But there are some cool two-tone sport loops, hot new Nike bands, and Hermes prints.

What's more interesting than the bands, though, is how you buy them.

It used to be in set pairs with the case. Now, with Apple Watch Studio, you can mix and match your own custom combos, both online and at Apple retail stores.

Hermes stays Hermes, obviously, but it looks like everything else is fair match game.

And I love it.

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Bottom LIne

With the launch of Apple Watch Series 5, Apple may have cancelled the Series 4, but they've kept around the Series 3.

And, at $199, that's entry-level iPad great. As much as Apple is pushing the latest to new levels of greatness, they're now leaving really good, really useful versions of the same products at lower price points and making them accessible to even more people.

People who may not wanted to try it at full price or simply couldn't afford to. Again, as much as some with breathlessly bemoan the lack of reasons to update year-over-year, most people in the world still haven't bought a single Apple Watch.

The play here isn't upgrading, it's on-boarding, and Apple just gave a lot of people 199 reasons to think about the Watch for the first time. Especially as we enter the holidays.

For everyone else, they're giving Apple Watch Series 4: the world's best health and fitness tracker and motivator, connected communications and emergency contact band, and wearable computer platform that, yes, really does brings it all back full circle.

Apple Watch Series 5 is now the world's best watch. Period.

Originally published September 2019.

What you need to know

• You can now trade in Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3 for up to $100.
• The previous trade-in was $60 and $70 respectively.
• The deal is part of Heart Month.

You probably didn't know that February is Heart Month, but Apple does. And it's using the month to try and convince people to upgrade their older Apple Watch to a shiny new Apple Watch Series 5 by increasing the trade-in value of older Series 2 and Series 3 models.

As part of the new promotion, first spotted by MacRumors, buyers can trade in their old Apple Watch Series 2 or Series 3 models for up to $100 in trade-in value. That's up from $60 and $70 respectively.

The whole thing is thanks to Heart Month, with Apple hoping users will upgrade to a new wearable as part of a renewed focus on their heart and its health.

Apple Watch has been on a run of helping people with their heart issues recently, and if you're at all concerned about yours you could definitely do worse than pick up a shiny new Apple Watch Series 5 this Heart Month.

I've been using the Apple Watch Series 5 since just after Apple introduced it back in September of this year. In that time, I've used it awake and asleep, at home and while traveling, for movie tickets and boarding passes, to track physical activity and hydration, to control my home and stay in touch with the people I love, and to demonstrate its safety features probably more often than I should.

And, I've come to a few conclusions in that time.

I know, I know — conclusions are supposed to come at the end and not at the beginning, but just give this to me this one time!

It took Apple 5 years to nail the original iPhone concept. It would have been 4, but the new antenna system was better enough to push it to 5 for me.

I likewise, it took Apple 5 years to nail the original Watch concept. It also would have been 4, but the always-on display was, again, pivotal enough to push it for me.

In my Apple Watch Series 5 review, I said that the addition of always-on took it from being the best smartwatch in the world to being the best damn watch period. And, three months later, I stand by that. Absolutely. 100 percent.

But, it's also something more: Not just the best watch of the year, but the best gadget of the decade.

I know some of you will argue the iPad, and that's a really close second for me. But it's more of an escalation when it comes to ultra-personal computing, not a revelation. Same for the iPhone 4 or 4s. Others will argue Alexa or Tesla, but those are still limited and problematic in as many ways as they're miraculous. Still others, maybe AirPods, but I think those really have their most important decade ahead of them.

The Apple Watch was not only born smack dab in the middle of this decade, but constantly iterated and improved over the last five years with better performance, connectivity, edge-to-edgier display, and now… an always-on display. All of which are important. But more importantly. Most importantly. It does something no other piece of personal computing technology has done before, specifically, purposefully — it saves lives.

PCs, phones, tablets, all of them can and are used to save lives, of course, every day. But the Apple Watch was designed to save lives. It's a main area of focus, a primary function, an industry-leading technology-as-health-empowerment.

Not just heart-rate monitoring. Not just fall detection. Not just all the research projects. Not just ECG or International SOS. Not any one feature but all of them. All… by… design. Which, to me, makes it stand out above and beyond, even by and from the company that gave us the iPhone.

And that's why the Apple Watch, from inception to current culminating in the Series 5, is the gadget of the decade, and the most important device Apple has ever made.

But… that doesn't mean there aren't still aspects left for me to complain about. The opposite, in fact. Because that's what'll lead Apple Watch to get even better in the next decade.

Always On Display

Up until this September, the Apple Watch was unbelievable at just about everything… with the biggest, most glaring exception being… being a watch. But, like I said in my September review and my October update, the Series 5's always-on display has completely, utterly fixed that for me. With style.

Where before I'd have to twist my wrist or tap the display just to see them time, an inconvenience at best, an embarrassment at worst, now I can just glance down, any where, any when, and find out immediately just when that any when actually is.

Over the last few months, I've spoken to doctors and other people in the services industry, athletes and people who work out at home or in classes, and all of them, to a one, have remarked at how transformative the always-on display has been for them.

It removes a tiny but frequent friction not in their workflows but in their lives.

Sure, those with traditional watches or other smartwatches that have had always-on displays for a while now will snicker and eye dash roll dot g i f so hard, but only until this cold, hard, reality five fingers it to their face:

Previously, everything else about the Apple Watch, from health and fitness to notifications and communications to remote control and content, was so damn great, users were willing to put up with the lack of always-on time just to keep using it.

Now we still have all that terrific Apple Watch stuff… and the best implementation of always-on display in the industry as well.

I covered the details in the original review, but the watch faces going from bright to dark and the refresh rate from 60hz to 1hz, means the experience stays consistent and your watch stays feeling like YOUR watch. There's a permanence to it, a beautiful illusion of a singular object like a traditional watch, but with all the computational advantages right behind it.

My only gripe remains where that experience does still get broken — notifications. You can see them, even in always-on mode. But when you tap on them, they don't pop up. The display brightens up, and then you have to tap on them again just to do what you originally wanted to do. In other words, you have to step out of low power mode before you can step into an action. That's two steps, which shatters that beautiful illusion just a bit.

I'm hoping Apple can figure out how to detect notification taps and piggyback the wake up with the popup, because then it would feel pretty damn near perfect.

I know some people complained about battery life with the always-on display as well, especially in the first few days and weeks following launch. I experienced that as well, but only for a day or two. Ever since, it's been just as good as the series 4 for me. It easily lasts until the end of the day, even with a couple of workouts in, and up to a day and a half, almost two days when I'm not working out.

And, honestly, I don't mind that. I'm old enough to remember Ma Bell hardline phones that plugged into the wall and never ran out of power. By comparison, modern smartphones have to be recharged every day or two but the functionality they provide makes the tradeoff more than worthwhile.

Same with the Watch for me. I had to wind some old watches, replace batteries every couple years on others, but even though I have to charge my Apple Watch every day or two, right alongside my phone, the functionality it provides is so far beyond any traditional watch or even week-long smartwatch, that the tradeoff is stratospherically more than worthwhile.

But, yeah, sure, the longer it gets at some point in the future, the better.

Also, I would still love to see a greater variety of digital faces and, of course, something that builds off the Photo face to let us make our own, more custom faces. Maybe even better than watch face apps, given the dependencies involved.

Otherwise, always-on so vastly improves my Apple Watch experience that I'd upgrade just for it, even if I didn't have to because of what I do.

I don't for a moment think that applies to everybody, maybe even many bodies. I have family members who are just fine without it. But, for me, someone who's been complaining loudly about the lack of it for as long as it's been lacking, and for anyone for whom unobtrusive time checking matters, always-on isn't just a nice to have. It's a must have.

Compass

I was snarky about Apple Watch Series 5 getting a compass when it was first announced. I'll admit that. It had been so long since the iPhone 3GS added it that I hadn't given it much if any thought. Not for years.

Now, I haven't used the standalone compass on the Watch for anything other than as a tech demo. Probably because I'm a mostly indoor human. You know, like an indoor pet. Not a wild one. The biggest hike I'll go on is a couple of hours in the nature preserve near my old house. If I did on of those iJustine or Settern hikes, I'm sure I'd have it on constantly just to get there and back again.

But, I really do like the way it manifests in the maps app for walking directions, which I use all the time while traveling. Also, I deeply, abidingly want the Apple Watch to become an independent device, separate from the iPhone the way the iPhone was made separate from the PC back with iOS 5.

And this gets us just one more step — or, I guess, one more step in the right direction — closer to that.

International SOS

Last year's Apple Watch Series 4, with fall detection and the ECG app, was a huge leap not just in personal technology but personal safety.

This year's international emergency calling is more of same…. but different. By making sure the new cellular radio has support for at least one band in almost every region, Apple is making sure the Watch can call for help, even if you have no iPhone with you and no active cell plan, in every one of those regions.

It means, if you're traveling, away from home, alone, lost, in danger, if something happens and you have an accident and can't find or reach your iPhone, you can still call for help.

It won't cover every possible situation every possible time but it will cover more than was possible ever before, and that's why I spent the beginning of this video saying just how important the Apple Watch's ever-increasing safety features really are.

Materials

The Apple Watch has proven to be something of a playground for Apple's material sciences team. Above and beyond the more typical aluminum and steel, they've gotten to experiment with gold, ceramics, and now, titanium.

I've been wearing the brushed titanium Apple Watch series 5 for the last couple of months and it's held up perfectly. I don't know if it's the material itself, the brushed finish, or that special surface treatment Apple gave it, but I haven't been able to spot so much as a scratch on it.

I kind of miss not having gotten the ceramic this year, because I love the look. It really is the stormtrooper watch, as my in-universe agent, Dave Wiskus keeps telling me. I mean, just look at it. I don't know if it's the same great composition as my Series 3 white ceramic, but the material looks just as good to my eye, and the new design makes the overall watch look even better.

Now, I know some people will say paying extra simply for different and more expensive materials is insane given that the technology will probably be classified as vintage within 5 years and unusable within 7 to 10.

But watches have never been just about practicality. And some people spend money on far more frivolous and less useful things that don't even last that long, so I'll never judge. Though I would really love to see something similar to the iPhone upgrade program, but for Apple Watch. I don't know if there's enough of a secondary market yet to support it, like there is with the iPhone, but that Apple brought back the Series 3 for $199 makes me think we're getting there.

I will probably switch to the aluminum, by which I mean Nike version, and stick with it at some point.

But then, I say that every year.

watchOS

I haven't really thought that much about watchOS 6 over the last couple of months, and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. Apple devices really transcend when they nail the integration of hardware, software, and increasingly, services. With Apple Watch in particular though, watchOS has just come to feel like such a natural, singular part of the watch hardware, that I never really think about them as separate things any more.

Not in the in way both iOS 13 and macOS Catalina have forced me to think about them in relation to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, this year in particular.

The noise feature is new and great, but it's just there on my watch face. I never have to even think about going to look for it.

And the on-device App Store is just the way it should work. Want app. Find app. Tap app. Have app. Done.

Sure, there still aren't a lot of apps, and some apps have been retired, but I think that's actually fine and proper by me.

I think Apple originally made a traditional-as-in-iPhone-style App Store for the Apple Watch just because, back then, that's what Apple did. Like, everything to them was a nail.

But, just like iPhone apps were often broken up to be smaller and more specific than Mac apps, Watches needed something even smaller and more hyper-specific, even than phones. So, the very best watch apps were even more broken up, into notification-based actions and informative complications.

If the Mac had suites and apps and the iPhone apps and tabs, the watch has tabs and buttons. If the apps disappeared and I just had the complications and notifications, I'd be fine, and I think that's entirely how it should be.

At least until we get even smaller voice-first AirPods quote-unquote apps in a few years. But I digress.

Fitness trends is something I really wanted to test out more, but travel and being under the weather in between completely harshened that mellow. I did spend a lot of time testing out more quantitative life apps.

I used a sleep tracker for the first time. As you may imagine, my sleep hygiene was non-existent at first. But, thanks to the app and some healthcare professionals in the family, I've gotten it back up to almost human levels. Mostly.

Same with hydration. I'm drinking more water more often than ever before.

I do have one request for watchOS 7 though — smart notification coalescence.

I said this back with Apple launched their push notification service but if we're not all very, very careful, notification quickly becomes interruption and information inevitably becomes distraction. That's why I have almost all notifications for almost all things turned off. But, for these, I need them on.

So, while I get the advantages of being told to stand up, to drink up, and to pay attention to a score of other things, I really want all those things to be coordinated.

Here's what I mean: The hydration app wants to tell me to get more water. So, it dispatches that to the central smart system. That system checks to see if I've already made my stand goal for the hour, if not, it cues a single notification telling me to stand up and get some water — at the same time. If I have unread messages, it also shows me those while I'm standing up and hydrating.

That way, I'm only interrupted 10 minutes before every hour, and not randomly throughout the hour.

Bundle it all into a next-gen assistant while you're at it, because that's really the job of a good hyper-personal assistant. Giving you that productivity boost.

No pressure.

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Durable titanium or eye-catching white ceramic? Apple's latest premium watches are both beautiful, so which one's for you?

Here's the deal: unless you both have the money to spend and really like the aesthetics of it, there's no practical reason to get the ceramic version of the Apple Watch Series 5. It's more expensive, it's heavier, and there's only one color option. The titanium, Apple Watch, on the other hand, has two colors, and starts at $500 less than the ceramic model. It's greater price gap, in fact, than the one between the starting prices of the aluminum and stainless steel watches.

Titanium vs. ceramic: What are the differences?

When it comes to the internal components and screen material, the titanium and ceramic Apple Watches are no different from one another. They have the same sapphire crystal screen, they're both Wi-Fi + Cellular models, and they both come with 32GB of internal storage (as does the rest of the Series 5 lineup).

So the real difference is in the materials. Titanium is a lighter material, stronger than stainless steel and, in many situations, a better choice for durability than the ceramic. Ceramic is more scratch-resistant, but it's an overall more brittle material. So, if you've ever had a problem with your watch band unfastening and your watch dropping to the ground, the titanium watch will likely hold up better against that sort of thing over time.

There are also the aesthetics of the watches to consider. You really have to like the look of the mostly-white body of the ceramic watch to shell out of it. And to a certain extent, that's also true with the titanium watch. But at least with the titanium model, you have both a standard and a black color option. The ceramic Apple Watch only comes in white.

From a practical perspective, the titanium Apple Watch is the Apple Watch to get. It's lighter on both your wrist and your wallet and features a second color option. It's also stronger overall, and, depending on your tastes, may look better with more of Apple's available bands.

But the thing about fashion accessories (which the Apple Watch is, as something you wear on your wrist) is that it's not all about practicality. If practicality was your main concern, you'd have skipped both of these and gotten an aluminum model, or at the most a stainless steel one for the sapphire screen. But you didn't do that. Instead, you're looking at the two most expensive non-Hermès watches that Apple makes.

Because something is striking about that ceramic watch. It's singular amongst all of the Apple Watch casing and band combinations you can get. The white is going to stand out wherever you go, and people will take a second, even if only a second, to look at it. It's not the most practical choice, but if it fits your aesthetic sensibilities and your budget, there's no reason not to go for it.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 6 will reportedly be more speedy than Series 5.
• Improved water resistance is also in the cards.
• The updated watch isn't expected until September 2020.

We might not have been wearing our Apple Watch Series 5 models for long, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is already looking forward to the next one. Apple Watch Series 6 will likely arrive in September 2020 and the analyst believes it will be faster and more water resistant than Apple Watch Series 5.

This comes after MacRumors got its hands on an investor research note from TF International Securities, the firm Kuo is attached to.

Based on Kuo's beliefs we can expect next year's Apple Watch to come with faster performance, improved water resistance, and even improved wireless capabilties. That may or may not stretch to faster Wi-Fi and cellular speeds, though.

The belief is that this will all be made possible thanks to Apple's switch to liquid crystal polymer (LCP) when printing the flexible cirtcuit boards that will be used in the wearable.

Regardless of why any of these improvements are possible, the fact that they will be part of the Apple Watch Series 6 feature list shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone. I'm more interested in what new health features – if any – Apple will add next year.

But for now, can we just enjoy our new Apple Watch Series 5 for a while?

What you need to know

• The Apple Watch series 5 has been released in three new countries
• Now available in Brazil, Korea and Thailand.
• The prize in Brazil is significantly higher at R$3,999 ($996).

Apple has launched its the Apple Watch Series 5 in 3 new countries. The latest iteration of Apple Watch is now available in Brazil, Korea and Thailand.

Prices in Korea and Thailand seem to match roughly with the US, however in Brazil the Apple Watch Series 5 will set you back R$3,999, a whopping $996.

Apple Watch Series 5 brings a host of improvements including fall detection and an always on display!

If you're still on the fence about the Apple Watch Series 5, check out Rene Ritchie's review after one whole month with it here!

What you need to know

• Yelp has updated its Apple Watch app for watchOS 6.
• The update also brings compass support for Apple Watch Series 5.
• Those on earlier versions of Apple Watch still get a new interface and iPhone features.

If you have an Apple Watch Series 5 you can now put your built-in compass to use by finding the nearest restaurant or coffee shop with the updated Yelp app. Yelp announced the update in a press release in which it

This isn't the only new feature in the update. Yelp has redesigned its watch app to bring over a lot of the functionality of its app for the iPhone. The Apple Watch app will now show a person's personal preferences and favorite locations, as well as being easier to navigate with a new scrolling interface:

While Apple Watch Series 4 and earlier won't be able to use the compass feature, anyone using watchOS 6 will get to use the newly designed interface as well as enjoy the personalized experience brought over from the iPhone.

The new Yelp app is available on the App Store now.

I've been using the Apple Watch Series 5 ever since Stan Ng introduced it up on the September event stage. I posted my initial review, complete with all the little technical details of how all the new stuff worked, just over a week later, after traveling back from Cupertino and reviewing three new iPhones as well along the way. It was a whirlwind.

Now, I've gotten in a couple more trips, but also a lot of regular life. Just day in, day out, using the Series 5 as I've always used an Apple Watch.

And, I've also switched from the space gray aluminum review unit to my own, personal, brushed titanium model. So, how has the first held up and the titanium… just… what's up?

Apple Watch Series 5; Titanium

Every year I swear I'm going to buy the aluminum. It's sleek. It's slim. It does everything Apple Watch can do, and for a lot less money than any other Apple Watch finish can do it. Then, Apple's materials team hits me with something new.

In that first year, with the Series 0, it was stainless steel with a black DLC — diamond-like carbon — coating so strong that, any time I though some other metal or rock had scratched it, it turned out the Watch had taken a bite out of that metal or rock instead. Like it was Batman's watch. By way of Krypton or something.

The second year, with Series 2, it was white ceramic. It looked shockingly bright, like the original iPod but felt like something from a high-end watchy watch company — which is exactly what Apple had rapidly become.

Year 3 and Series 3 was gray ceramic. I didn't like the look anywhere nearly as much as the white, because it wasn't anywhere nearly as distinct. Less like fresh snow, more like storm clouds. But, it was new and I'm such a sucker for new.

Year 4 and Series 4 was gold steel. I wasn't sure I could pull it off and I ultimately ended up exchanging the one I bought for polished steel. but I loved the look, and just wished Apple made the lugs to go with it. All the lugs.

Now, with Series 5, Apple has brought back the white ceramic and it looks every bit as terrific as ever. But, they've also added something new again — titanium, both brushed and DLC black. And, yeah, I'm a sucker for new.

I had the space black version at first but ended up exchanging it for the brushed steel because I decided I wanted titanium to look like titanium.

They're both distinctive, though, and neither really resemble their stainless steel counterparts. The brushed titanium might bring back memories of the iconic titanium power book… or the doesn't-hold-up-nearly-as-well brushed metal interfaces of the early days of OS X.

It's way lower key than the polished stainless steel, almost closer to the silver aluminum. So, it's definitely not for the showy offy. More for the confident chill.

Same with the space black. It's not the same batmobile black as the stainless steel. Closer to space gray aluminum. But with all the benefits of metal. The closest analogy I can come up with is stealth.

They're classified as Edition, which is the branding Apple has used for the highest-end Watches since the original 18 karat gold, and the subsequent ceramic lines. But it's barely more expensive than the stainless steel.

It also comes in Apple's new Watch Studio packaging, so you can choose your case finish and your band separately.

That lower price and flexibility does come at a cost, though: Unlike the early years of Edition, it doesn't come in any extra fancy box or with any extra fancy accessories, like the charging disk of Editions old.

I kind of miss that, even if I don't miss the price or fixed collections. Ultimately, though, I think this way is better.

And, I'm loving the titanium. It's so Get Shorty: It owns, it just doesn't care if you know it.

Apple Watch Series 5: Always On Display

For some people, the Apple Watch Series 5 barely qualified as an update. For others, it was transformative. Count me firmly in the latter camp. The biggest thing I've complained about, year after year, Series after Series, is how the Watch's biggest problem was failing at the one function actually contained in its name: Being a watch.

Part of the Watch's appeal from day one was how glanceable it was. You didn't have to go back to your Mac. Didn't even have to reach for your iPhone. You could just glance at your watch… for everything but just quickly, discreetly glancing at the time.

Well, Series 5 fixes all that. With style. With aplomb. More specifically, with an always-on display.

If you really want to be all casual and crafty about it, it works best with one of the really big watch faces, like X-Large or Numerals, because they're really easy to see, even in the dimmed out power-saving mode.

I'll always make it a point to switch to X-Large if I'm IRL and need to be able to check the time on the DL.

On the flip side, when you're in an important meeting or out at a fancy dinner, other people can now see your watch face all the time as well, so you tend to go with something fancier, like California or the new Meridian. Yeah, it's totally shallow but only in the most superficial way.

I'm kidding. I thought I wouldn't keep changing faces. That I'd get too lazy. That I'd just keep it in Infograph Modular, which is my work-a-day dashboard face. But, I've been changing it up much more and I'd forgotten how much fun doing that really is.

I haven't flipped the switch to blank out private health complications in always-on mode, mostly because I don't use any of those complications beyond activity rings, and I don't care if anyone sees that. But I still love that hit is a switch that can be flipped.

Always on smartwatches aren't new by any means. But Apple, as is often the case, really nailed the implementation.

It's so good I sometimes still forget it's in always-on mode and I need to tap to return it to normal before I can check notifications. That's how well integrated it is.

Apple Watch Series 5: Battery Life

Battery life has been controversial with the Series 5. I know some people were getting much worse battery life than they did on previous Apple Watches, especially in the first week or two.

https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/1183196190273363970

A lot of different theories got floated as to the cause, from the new cellular modem to the new Noise app to the obvious — the always-on display.

These days, there's so much variation in apps and settings, it can be hard to track down a universal cause because most causes aren't universal anymore. They're made up of a variety of different things depending on different use cases.

I did have some trouble with the connection between my Apple Watch and iPhone in the first few days, which resulted in it draining quickly, especially while I was traveling. But, re-pairing cleared it right up. And yes, that is the re-install Windows of the Apple Watch world.

I asked on Twitter to see how people were doing now, and it seems like recent iOS updates, of which there's been a few, have fixed a lot of issues. I'm guessing another update or so will fix whatever issues remain.

As for me, both on the aluminum at first and the titanium now, I'm getting a little less with always-on-on than I got with no always-on at all on the Series 4. I typically finish the day with between 20 and 40%, depending on how intense my usage is. That's down from between 30 and 50% on the Series 4. But, it's not much of a price to pay at all for always-on, at least not for me.

Apple Watch Series 5: On-device App Store

Slowly but surely, Apple has been scratching off almost everything on my wish list. Performance. Cellular. Edge-to-edge display. Always-on display. Everything. Almost. The only big thing remaining in independence from the iPhone. Same way the iPhone eventually gained its independence from the Mac.

It hasn't happened yet, but watchOS 6 has taken a big step in that direction with the on-device App Store. Now, I can go around with just my Apple Watch and, if I need an app for something, I can get it right on my Apple Watch.

It hasn't been perfect, at least not for me, not yet. First day I grabbed the first app in the list and, while it installed and set up just fine, when I added it to my iPhone as well, it couldn't pull any data back from the Watch app.

Reversing the process worked just fine, but I shouldn't have to. Especially because the idea of going Apple Watch only for periods of time is so compelling.

There's been a lot of talk over the last couple years about us, all of us, overusing our phones. Some companies have marketed smaller, less useful phones as an answer. Which I just think is silly. Some people have taken to installing social media apps only on old phones they keep in the bottom of bags or drawers. Which seems like just too much work to me. Apple and other companies have shipped Screen Time and similar monitoring systems.

But I've started to just use my Apple Watch. It lets me stay up to date on anything important, which lets me stay relaxed, but it's also damn near impossible to get dragged into social on that tiny wrist screen.

I have sound turned off and most notifications set to deliver quietly as well, so I get them on my terms, not their's.

Plus you get all the health and fitness benefits only the Apple Watch can really provide.

Speaking of which…

Apple Watch Series 5: Health and Fitness

There are some health and fitness features, new and old, I still haven't explored enough to really review. I love the new life-saving feature — international emergency calling. Any Apple Phone with a cellular modem can now call for help in most places in the world, even without a plan. But I've also just started exploring the quality of life-saving features. Hydration, sleep tracking, fitness trends.

A while back I tired a bunch of ligaments in my ankle and it really slowed me done. That plus a hectic schedule really got me down. Last week I downloaded a bunch of apps and set up a bunch of stats, and I'm going to see what I can do with them — and what they can do for me, over the next couple of months.

I'll do a what's on my Apple Watch and why if anyone really wants to see it, but I'll also report back when I do the three-month review in early December.

Apple Watch Series 5: New apps

I like the compass on Apple Watch Series 5 more than I thought I would. I don't use the app, but I have put the complication on my regular walking watch face to glance at when I'm in a park and want to make triple sure I'm going in the right direction. And, I just plain love how much better it makes the watch at walking directions.

There are some other new apps as well that, while not unique to Apple Watch Series 5, really round out the experience. I haven't used the new calculator app much yet but I'm glad it's there. The nerd kid in me still wants a calculator watch face for fun, though.

Voice memos are great. I've used third-party apps a ton and while this is basic by comparison it's always important to have the basics built-in. Then there's the Audiobooks app, which I don't use because I've subscribed to Audible since practically forever.

The noise app is both fun, just to see the complication bounce around so much, and empowering because I never realized how or where loud noise was impacting me. Especially the door alarms at airports that seem to go off so always so everywhere, and some of the music levels in restaurants as well.

The Cycle app, I asked my colleague Lory Gil about, and you can hear what she says in the video above.

Apple Watch Series 5: Conclusion

The vast majority of people don't upgrade their electronics year over year. That's something entirely invented by tech pundits in one breath just so they can tell you not to do it in the next.

I can see a few people, especially in services industries, thinking Apple Watch Series 5 is a big enough deal to upgrade for, though. Especially if they can sell their Series 4 for enough to make it a low impact purchase. But I can see a lot more people upgrading from an early Apple Watch for the sum total of recent upgrades, especially rolling up connectivity from Series 3 and design from Series 4 with always-on from Series 5.

And, I can see even more getting into Apple Watch for the first time with Series 5 because of the always-on way it shows time.

What you need to know

• Dvoted Health becomes first private health insurance provider to offer discount for Apple Watch.
• As part of its wellness bucks, customers can use $150 towards the Apple Watch.
• The discount also applies to health classes and programs.

The Apple Watch has become an unexpected health tool that's growing in appeal with health insurance companies as it can track excercises, offer the ECG capability and can even call 911 when it notices a user fell. That has now reached its pinnacle as Devoted Health becomes the first health insurance provider to partner up with Apple to offer a major discount towards the Apple Watch.

According to CNBC, Devoted Health will offer up to $150 per year from what it calls "wellness bucks" that can be used for classes, programs, or a wearable device such as an Apple Watch. The discount can be applied to the Apple Watch Series 3—which only costs $199 now—and Series 5.

The discount is available through Devoted Health's private Medicare Advantage plan that focuses on "world class technology." Here's Devoted Health's statement on the new wellness bucks initiative.

It'll be interesting to see which other health insurance providers begin considering offering discounts like this one for the Apple Watch.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Nike+ Series 5 is now available.
• Other Apple Watch Series 5 models launched on September 20th.
• Stocks already appear low.

Now that Apple Watch Series 5 has been around for a couple of weeks you'd think launches were done. But you'd be wrong, with Apple Watch Nike+ Series 5 now available. But you'll need to be quick – stock already appears to be limited.

The differences between Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Nike+ Series 5 are few, but if you're a fitness fan they might be worth considering. You'll get a special Nike Sport Loop with your watch as well as special Nike+ watch faces, too. Both of those can be big deals if you plan on using your Apple Watch while exercising. Or if you just like those funky loops like we do.

We've been checking out some of the different models in the online Apple Store and shipping dates are already into December for some of them. If you have your heart on one of these sporty Apple Watches we'd suggest ordering soon or checking your local Apple Store. You never quite know your luck.

All Apple Watch Series 5 models come with the same headline feature of an always-on display. That alone may be worth the upgrade from a previous Apple Watch for some people, and we'd recommend checking the new titanium and ceramic materials if you're on the fence as well.

What you need to know

• Apple is holding the next Apple Watch Activity Challenge later this month.
• The Health and Sports Day Challenge is taking place on October 14.
• The event will be for Apple Watch users in Japan.

Back in August, Apple held a special Apple Watch Activity Challenge in honor of the Grand Canyon National Park's 100th anniversary. Since then, Apple had not held another event or even announced a future one. That's changing now. Apple just announced the next Activity Challenge is taking place later this month.

Known as the "Health and Sports Day Challenge," the new challenge will kick off on October 14 for Apple Watch users in Japan. Here's the description for the challenge.

Users will have to complete the workout of their choice for 30 minutes after which they will earn three special stickers for their participation.

Good luck to Apple Watch users that embark on the Activity Challenge in Japan.

Apple Watch Series 5 review: The best Apple Watch money can buy

What you need to know

• iFixit's teardown of the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 reveals a new battery design.
• Instead of a foil pouch, the battery is enclosed in a metal casing.
• iFixit said the metal casing is more space efficient and makes the battery physically stronger.

Earlier this week, iFixit tore apart the 44mm Apple Watch Series 5, finding that the wearable is very similar to the now discontinued Series 4. You'd expect the same findings inside the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5, but that's not entirely the case.

iFixit looked inside the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 and discovered a 10% larger battery along with a new battery design.

According to iFixit, Apple appears to have implemented a battery design described in this patent. Essentially, Apple was able to cram more battery in the Apple Watch Series 5 thanks to a more space-efficient metal casing.

"The traditional foil pouches leave a larger seal than this new metal enclosure, meaning Apple can theoretically put previously-wasted space to good use," iFixit said.

Not only is the new metal casing more space-efficient, but iFixit said it makes the battery physically stronger.

"This is fantastic for repair purposes, since it's all too easy to puncture a lithium-ion battery during repairs," iFixit said.

Finally, iFixit said the new battery design could potentially make battery replacements much easier down the road, because it may allow the battery to be secured to the device with screws, rather than adhesive.

What you need to know

• Moon++ is an Apple Watch app that brings accurate astronomy to the smartwatch.
• The app and its complication will show you exactly how the moon looks up in the sky.
• The app was created by developer David Smith and is now available for $0.99.

Astronomy tracking on the Apple Watch is going to get much more accurate with the arrival of a new standalone app called Moon++ that actually shows you the moon based on its position in the sky.

The new standalone Apple Watch app comes from developer David Smith who aims to deliver a proper astronomy experience on the smartwatch. Here's how Smith describes his path to creating Moon++.

The app offers a complication of the moon available in a realistic and minimal black and white finish and has a dedicated moon finder. You can also spin the crown to see how the moon while change throughout the coming day.

Additionally, the app will also take advantage of the first-time integration of a compass in the Apple Watch Series 5.

Moon++ is now available solely through the Apple Watch App Store for $0.99.

What you need to know

• iFixit conducted its teardown of the Apple Watch Series 5.
• The teardown confirms that it is very similar to the Series 4
• There are some new components to make way for the always-on display and compass.

It's now very clear that while the Apple Watch Series 5 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now, it is also eerily similar to the outgoing Series 4. iFixit's teardown of Apple's newest wearable continues to substantiate this belief.

The Apple Watch Series 5 did get a few minor changes on the outside—mostly with the new bottom plate—but the overall footprint is largely the same as the Series 4. Taking it apart, things don't really change inside.

iFixit uses a precision knife and some heat to remove the display from the body glued on with adhesive. The main change is the always-on display, which is made possible by a few new components.

Additionally, the Series 5 gets a new compass for the first time that utilizes a small gyroscope to compensate for the magnets inside the watch. The battery is also technically bigger, but almost to a negligent point. The Series 5 battery is 1.4% bigger than the Series 4.

The teardown confirmed the new system-on-chip houses the compass and newly doubled storage (32GB), but also the same CPU and GPU as the Apple Watch Series 4

Overall, the Apple Watch Series 5 earned a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit.

Apple Watch Series 5 review

I use a lot of fitness trackers throughout the year. Each has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, but if I'm honest I usually find myself coming back to Apple Watch. It's easiest to use, integrates better with many apps I use daily, and is comfortable enough to wear with just about anything. But the lack of an always on display has been a pain point for me as a cyclist. I like being able to glance down and see my pacing or my distance traveled without adjusting my wrist and moving my fingers away from my brakes. So when the Apple Watch Series 5 was announced with its always on display, I was more than a little excited.

But I was also somewhat doubtful. Apple claimed during the announcement this new always on display was not going to impact battery life, that you could still get an 18 hour day in a single charge with "mixed use" like you could with the Series 4. Considering the new Series 5 is the exact same size and shape as the Series 4, this seemed impossible. Every fitness tracker I have ever used with an always on display struggles to get me through a long bike ride as well as be useful as a smartwatch for the rest of the day. Is this a real thing, or is Apple being a little funny with the numbers?

To test this myself, I took an Apple Watch Series 4 and a new Series 5, set them up identically, and went on a 50 mile ride with each of them. Here are the results.

My test environment

I took a fully charged Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5, connected each to different iPhones each with Verizon SIM cards, and wore one on each wrist. Each Apple Watch had the exact same set of apps and tasks running on them. Instead of using the included Apple Fitness tracking tools for cycling, I used Strava. No offense, Apple, I just prefer Strava.

The route I traveled started at 7am Eastern and went through a densely wooded area, so for the first couple of hours it was actually fairly dark. But by the time I had finished the sun was fully out hand had completely brightened my trail.

It's worth noting the Apple Watch Series 4 is a year old, but has had less than three total months of actual use during that year. I didn't have a totally fresh Series 4 to use here, but the battery health on this Series 4 shouldn't be a concern.

The results

My first stop to check in on the battery drain for these watches was at the 28 mile mark, roughly two hours into my ride. At this point, the Apple Watch Series 4 had seen 18% drain, while the Apple Watch Series 5 had only seen 16% drain. At this point, the Series 5 was actually getting slightly better battery life than the Series 4.

When I reached the end of the ride, which totaled 48.19 miles, the battery drain on these watched was nearly identical. The Apple Watch Series 5 actually ended the ride at 69% on its readout, but by the time I had pulled my camera out to document this it had dropped to match the Series 4 at 68%.

I also have some "normal day" data recorded from the previous day. With each Watch connected to identically configured iPhones, and me just walking around and typing during the 10 hour test, the numbers were fantastically similar. I had received 278 notifications (Yes, really. I have a problem), played with Spotify for 15 minutes on each Watch, checked the weather twice, and used Siri once. The Series 4 had been drained 19%, but the Series 5 had only been drained 16%.

What I've learned

Despite having an always on display, the Apple Watch Series 5 appears to slightly outperform the Series 4 when it comes to battery drain on most tasks. And there are several reasons for both why and how this is happened. We don't yet know the battery capacity of the Series 5 Watch because Apple doesn't publish that information and a teardown hasn't been published yet, but it's possible that like the iPhone 11 Pro models this year Apple managed to stuff a few more mAh in this new model.

There's also the not-exactly-but-sort-of-new S5 processor and Watch OS6 to consider, which Apple used to introduce new power modes and better power management features in the chip itself. Combined with a larger battery and delicate 1hz refresh use of the OLED display, it's likely we're seeing here is a healthy combination of optimization and increased battery to get the job done.

But the bottom line couldn't be more clear, the Apple Watch Series 5 is exactly as good as Apple says it is.

What you need to know

• The Apple Watch Series 5 appears be using the same CPU and GPU as the Series 4.
• This was confirmed through Xcode by developer Steve Troughton-Smith.
• The only internal upgrades Apple made to the Series 5 is adding a new gyroscope and including 32GB of storage.

When Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 5, many wondered if the processor was upgraded as it spent no time talking about it. Now we know why. It appears Apple is still using the same CPU and GPU from the Series 4 model.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith revealed he discovered this through Xcode.

Now, the S-series aren't systems-on-a-chip (SoC) like the A-series found in iPhones and iPads. They're complete systems-in-package (SIP), which means there are other things that can change besides the processors.

In this case, the S5 is an S4 with an integrated magnetometer, otherwise known as a digital compass. It's what lets Maps show you which way you're going and do a bunch of other stuff we've taken for granted on phones for a decade already.

Troughton-Smith does point out that this means Series 4 owners don't have to worry about lagging behind the new model. You know, other than the compass, 32GB of storage, the new finishes, and the always-on display. App launching and running performance, though, should be the same between both genertaions.

The lack of major processing power update for the Apple Watch Series 5 is a bit disappointing, but seeing as it replaced the Series 4 instead of being sold alongside it, it makes the purchase predicament clear for potential customers. The Series 5 is the Apple Watch you should buy right now.

Apple Watch Series 5 review: The best Apple Watch ever

What you need to know

• Most reviews of the Apple Watch Series 5 are positive, but there is one constant gripe reviewers have with it.
• It is the definition of an incremental upgrade.
• Aside from the always-on display and other minor updates, you'd be hardpressed to find the differences between it and the Series 4.

By now you've probably seen a few of the Apple Watch Series 5 reviews that are out there. Multiple reviewers got ahold of a review unit and have been testing it out for the past few days. Most of the reviews have been positive, primarily because of the always-on-display, but they do point to one downside: it's a very incremental upgrade from last year's model.

The Verge starts their review by saying it offers very few updates while also commending the always-on display.

CNBC notes that owners of a Series 4 model do not need to upgrade.

Wired notes how it's hard to differentiate the Series 4 and Series 5 models apart side by side.

TechCrunch came to the same conclusion.

Overall, however, the Apple Watch Series 5 seems to be a winner. If you don't own one or are on a Series 3 or older, this is definitely the time to upgrade. If you own a Series 4 model, that's when the proposition isn't as appealing.

Apple Watch Series 5 review: The best smartwatch

What you need to know

• The one Apple Watch feature reviewers say is a must-have is the always-on display.
• Most praise how it doesn't impact battery life and is super useful.
• One you use the new feature, it's hard to go back.

After Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 5 and its new always-on display, it was pretty clear that this was the major new selling point of the new wearable. That sentiment has been reaffirmed by the first reviews of the latest Apple Watch that that say it is a must-have feature.

The Verge explained how the new feature doesn't ding your battery life thanks to the new tech Apple is using.

TechCrunch expanded upon how the software interacts with the new hardware to save battery life.

Wired talked about how it adds a new way of interacting with the watch.

This sentiment was elaborated upon by CNBC.

iMore talks about how this feature should have been available since day one, but now that it's here, we'll take it nonetheless.

Daring Fireball delivered a similar take on the always-on display.

Apple Watch Series 5 review: The best smartwatch ever

What you need to know

• The first Apple Watch Series 5 reviews are out and here's what they are saying.
• Most praise the major new feature: the always-on display.
• The steady battery life and new casings also add more versatility.

With the release of the Apple Watch Series 5 only days away, the first reviews of the device are coming out. Multiple outlets, including our own, received review units and have tested out Apple's latest wearable for a few days and have some thoughts on it.

The main selling point of the Apple Watch Series 5 is the new always-on display, which reviewers are absolutely loving. Daring Fireball's John Gruber explain precisely what the new feature means to the Apple Watch.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn was really impressed with how Apple implemented the technology.

CNBC's Todd Hasselton also really enjoys the convinience of the always-on display.

One of the key breakthroughs is the same battery life with the always-on display. TechCrunch's Brian Heater notes that normally this would be a recipe for battery disaster, but with Apple's new tech, battery optimization seems to be great.

iMore's Rene Ritchie broke down what you can expect from the Apple Watch Series 5 battery life.

Aesthetically, the main difference are some new cases Apple is now offering. The Verge broke down how they differ and if they are worth the extra price.

Among the minor new feautres, one that Apple talked a lot about at its event was the new Compass app. Here's how iMore found the new feature to be.

Apple Watch Series 5 review: Another winning wearable by Apple

What you need to know

• The first unboxing videos of the Apple Watch Series 5 have gone live.
• The videos show off some of the new features like always-on display and Compass.
• The unboxing experience is basically the same as the Series 4.

The Apple Watch Series 5 isn't launching until Friday, September 20, but some people have already gotten their hands on Apple's newest wearable. Two early unboxing videos have already gone up on YouTube showing off the new watch and its new features.

YouTube channels Unbox Italia and Life Entertainments posted their unboxings of the new Apple Watch Series 5. The unboxing experience is very similar to what the Series 4 offered last year. The box is exactly the same while the Apple Watch still comes in a little cloth cover.

Most of the intrigue revolves around some of the new features the new watch offers such as the always-on display. The videos do show off how the new feature works. When selecting the watch face that works with the new feature, the watch remains at full brightness with the normal watch face for a few seconds of inactivity until it shifts to the low hertz and darker version of the watch face.

Additionally, the videos show off the new Compass app that will always guide the watch user.

Aside from the unboxing and brief glimpse of the new features, the videos aren't overly detailed. We'll have to wait for full reviews to come out over the next few days.

Apple Watch Series 5: Everything you need know

What you need to know

• Apple said some watch bands may cause interference with the Series 5's compass.
• The watch's ability to display the way you're facing might not work correctly.
• You might want to consider a Sport Loop or Sport Band instead.

One of the new features in Apple Watch Series 5 is the compass, which allows users to see which direction they're facing on a map. Unfortunately, the compass may not function properly when the Series 5 is paired with certain watch straps.

On its website, Apple warns users that bands with magnets may interfere with the compass. 9to5Mac has the explanation:

The sensor inside the Series 5 may mistake the magnet inside your band for the magnetic pull of the planet, confusing the compass. It's something not even Apple's engineers can get around. The good news is your GPS should continue to work properly.

Apple's Sport Band, Sport Loop, and other watch bands without a magnet won't interfere with the Series 5's compass. But you might run into some problems if you pick up a Milanese Loop.

It's just something to note before you pick up with Apple Watch Series 5, which is available to preorder now before hitting stores on September 20.

Best Apple Watch bands

Apple doesn't usually make massive changes from one Apple Watch to the next and this year is no different. The most compelling reason to upgrade to Apple Watch Series 5 is the always-on display. If you want the absolute newest look this year, the titanium model wins the day.

Old vs new: Is an upgrade really necessary this year?

If you're reading this, that means you're considering it. Should you upgrade? Apple doesn't offer an Apple Watch Upgrade Program so replacing it year after year isn't as financially justifiable, especially when a lot of the same features from Series 5 are also in the older Series 4. To give you a breakdown of just how similar they are, here's a handy dandy spec table.

Always-on Display

Of course, the biggest feature difference between Series 4 and Series 5 is that always-on display. In the marketing video for Series 5, Apple notes, "This Watch tells time." Humorous, because that's been the biggest complaint about Apple Watch since its inception. You couldn't just look down at your wrist to see the time. You'd have to lift and swish, basically, to wake the screen to see the time. It's been the single reason some people have avoided Apple Watch altogether.

Not any longer. With the always-on display of Series 5, even if your wrist is down by your side and your arm is immovable, you can glance at it to see what time it is.

If you just upgraded your Apple Watch to Series 4, but always felt cheated by the fact that you couldn't just see the time without big, noticeable swings of your arm, you may want to consider making the upgrade. Your wait is finally over because this Watch tells time.

If an always-on display has been a nice idea to you, but it's not something you long for, you probably don't need to upgrade this over the Series 5. It's the biggest feature addition from last year's model.

Titanium (and ceramic is back)

Since the very first Apple Watch, there have only been a total of four material types for the case of the Apple Watch; aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and the short-lived 18K gold. With the Series 5, Apple has introduced titanium to the Edition line (that's right, even though it's only $100 more than the stainless steel Apple Watch, it's categorized as an Edition model).

Titanium is a darker, brushed metal design. A more refined contrast to the brushed metal on the aluminum case, but not as shiny as the polished metal of the stainless steel.

Because titanium is considered an Edition model Apple Watch, there's no guarantee that it'll be around next year. Apple tends to make Edition Apple Watches a more exclusive experience. They don't usually last very long.

Apple launched the ceramic Apple Watch Edition in 2017 and promptly removed it from the lineup the following year. It's back with the Series 5, but is a perfect example of the limited nature of Edition Apple Watch models.

If you're fashion-forward and always need the newest look, the titanium Apple Watch Edition is your "fall showcase" and you'll be the trendiest kid on the block.

Twice the storage capacity

Apple Watch Series 5 is packing 32GB of storage capacity. While its great news for anyone wanting to download music, podcasts, or audiobooks for offline listening on their Apple Watch, a big storage capacity isn't really a wow-factor feature on Apple Watch. We don't play video games or watch movies on our wrist, for the most part, so we don't really need that kind of room.

The increased storage capacity in the latest model may have something to do with a dedicated App Store in watchOS 6. You won't need to install apps on your iPhone in order to use them on your iPhone any longer.

As of this writing, 32GB of storage capacity seems like overkill for the Apple Watch, but we haven't had a dedicated App Store for Apple Watch before, so this may prove to be more important later.

Built-in compass

Some may not consider an onboard compass that big of a deal on Apple Watch, but I'm very impressed with how Apple could have possibly fit yet another sensor into that tiny little device. Series 5 has a magnetometer built in, so you can find True North, magnetically, right on your wrist. It doesn't use GPS. You don't need to be online.

It may not be a compelling reason to upgrade from Series 4 to Series 5, but it's pretty cool just the same.

So should you upgrade from Series 4 to Series 5?

My personal opinion is, no. The differences between the two just aren't enough to justify upgrading this year over last. It makes more sense to postpone until the Apple Watch gets a bigger design and feature upgrade. After all, the Series 4, in my opinion, perfected the Apple Watch design and the always-on display is the only significant improvement over last year's model that could justify upgrading.

If you need an always-on display. If all you ever wanted was for your Apple Watch to tell time, it might be worth it to you to upgrade from the Series 4.

it's here: The Apple Watch Series 5. was there ever really any doubt?

1. Apple Watch Series 5: New Ceramic & Titanium Finishes

The aluminum Apple Watch Series 5 comes in roughly the same shades as before — silver, and anodized space gray and gold. Roughly because Apple's exact shade of gold seems to vary slightly year to year.

Stainless steel is also the same: Polished and DLC-coated space black. They have expanded things slightly, though: You can now get the Hermes version in space black as well.

Making its return is white ceramic, which originally debuted with Apple Watch Series 2 but was absent last year on the Series 4. And, brand new for Series 5, titanium in brushed metal and DLC-coated space black.

Because it's brushed rather than polished, the titanium looks quite different than the steel. Not quite the same as the aluminum, but somewhere in between.

Enough, at least, to trigger anyone who insists their lugs match their casings exactly.

Titanium also weighs less than steel. Quite a bit in my brief time holding them in the hands-on area.

Because it's slightly more expensive than stainless steel, it's more for fans of the material than anyone else. And fans of light watches, not heavier the better ones, of course.

But I love that Apple continues to experiment and try out new versions of old classics. It's part of what makes the Apple Watch a watch.

2. Apple Watch Series 5: New Bands

Apple's been updating the Apple Watch bands pretty much every spring, summer, and fall since the original launched. Sometimes with new styles, always with new colors. Increasingly with new combinations.

There's no ceramic or titanium bracelet, alas. But there are some hot new Nike looks, Hermes prints, and two-tone sport loops that I can't wait to add to my already ludicrously large collection.

3. Apple Watch Series 5: Apple Watch Studio

For years, Apple has been offering pre-set pairs for the Watch. Certain cases with certain bands, and if the combination you wanted wasn't offered, you had to buy one that was and get another band separately to make it yourself.

And, for years, we've all been asking to just let us mix and match.

Last year, Apple teased us by shipping the Apple Watch cases and bands separately, even when you bought them, as you had to, as part of a pre-set pair.

This year, they tease us no longer. With Apple Watch Studio, you can go online or to your local Apple store, choose almost any case, almost any band, and make your own pair.

I say almost because things like Hermes stick to Hermes, but otherwise, we can knock ourselves out and make any knockout combo we want.

Love this.

4. Apple Watch Series 5: Always On

The biggest new feature of the Apple Watch Series 5 is legit one I've been waiting years for. However many it's been since the watch first launched. The one that makes the watch truly, finally, a watch:

Always-on display.

Apple did implement it in typical Apple fashion though. They didn't do it first. They didn't graft it on. They didn't make it a user problem to manage.

They made it an intrinsic, pretty much intuitive part of the Apple Watch experience.

Where, before the watch display would turn off, now it goes into a lower power mode instead. That's all thanks to a whole new technology stack that starts with a low power LTPO display, a new low power driver, a low power management system, and a ton of software support.

Second hands disappear so they don't have to be animated. Filled colors become closer to outlines so the all those pixels don't have to stay powered. Whites turn black. Colors dim. Mickey stops stamping. Woody disappears.

Workouts will also stay on but the milliseconds go away.

That it's every watch face and every workout, and no some special display or mode or face is terrific. It just feels so well integrated.

It doesn't work with other apps, including third party apps, though. Those will just switch back to the last watch face when going low power.

Complications keep on functioning, though. So the data from those apps will still get to you. Apple is being privacy-conscious enough to mute very personal notifications, like health-related ones, but others will still pop up for you as well. Just dim until you decide you want to see them.

A new ambient light sensor helps it all work. And if it detects a dark room, like a movie theater, it'll dim so as not to disturb others. And, yeah, there's still a theater mode if you want to take it a step further, or you can just turn the whole thing off in settings if the whole thing turns you off.

Again, I've been waiting years for this, so I really hope it works as expected.

5. Apple Watch Series 5: Digital compass

Yes, the Apple Watch Series 5 has a new S5 system-in-package. It's still 64-bit and dual-core. Apple's not increasing the power envelop here because everything is being thrown into the always-on display this generation.

But they are adding in a magnetometer or digital compass. The iPhone got it with the 3GS but it's basically what lets that little arrow in maps show you which way you're going. It can also tell you, or pass along to apps, your incline, elevation, and latitude and longitude.

That means a food rec app can point you right at the restaurant, an astronomy app can highlight the stars as you spin around axis, and workout apps can deliver whole new ways to quantify what you're doing and how.

6. Apple Watch Series 5: Emergency everywhere

The Apple Watch has never been able to roam on cellular internationally because the tiny modem inside it has yet to be able to support enough bands to make it remotely feasible.

But, for Series 5, Apple has added just enough support for just enough bands to let it make emergency calls in pretty much every country where Apple Watch works.

I don't know if that's thanks to the new W3 wireless chip or something else, but it means, if you're traveling, and you trigger fall detection or hit SOS, even if you're at home but just don't have a cellular plan, it'll still call for help for you.

I've said it countless times already, but I consider Apple Watch the most important device Apple has ever made because it deliberately, intentionally, by design, saves lives.

International emergency calling is just one more in a long list of ways Apple's made that happen.

7. Apple Watch... Series 3

Legit some of the biggest Apple Watch news at the event wasn't Series 5 at all. It was Series 3. Apple is keeping it around at an even lower base price: $199.

That's like entry-level iPad great.

As much as some with breathlessly bemoan the lack of reasons to update year-over-year, most people in the world still haven't bought a single Apple Watch.

The play here isn't upgrading, it's on boarding, and Apple just gave a lot of people 199 reasons to think about the Watch for the first time. Especially as we enter the holidays.

Well played.

What you need to know

• The titanium option of the Apple Watch Series 5 is 13% lighter than the stainless steel model.
• Apple confirmed the weight difference in updating the specs for the Series 5.
• The aluminum model retained the same weight as the Series 4 while the new ceramic option is slightly lighter than the version available for the Series 3.

When Apple announced the new Apple Watch Series 5, it incorrectly listed the weight of the available models with the weight of the Series 4. But upon updating the specs, it confirmed that the titanium option is 13% lighter than the stainless steel option.

First spotted by MacRumors, the Series 5 titanium models weigh 35.1 and 41.7 grams respectively for the 40mm and 44mm sizes. That's a fraction lighter than the 40.6 and 47.8 grams the stainless steel model weighs. The 13% difference is not huge, but it might sway you in selecting a particular model if you prefer a lighter watch.

The aluminum and new ceramic models weigh the least out of the bunch. The aluminum casing comes in at 30.8 and 41.7 grams for the 40mm and 44mm sizes (which is the same as the Series 4) while the ceramic casing comes in at 39.7 and 46.7 grams.

Oddly enough, as MacRumors points out, it weighs less than the ceramic models for the Apple Watch Series 3 even though the Series 5 comes with a bigger display. It seems Apple shaved off weight from some other component.

Apple opened pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 5 today. Deliveries and in-store availability will start Friday, September 20.

Everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 5

There's nothing wrong with wanting the latest and greatest from Apple, but you will want to make sure that you buy it from the right place. The Apple Watch Series 5 is finally here, and if you are looking to purchase one you can grab one right now from a variety of different retailers. Unlike with the iPhone 11 and some of Apple's other gadgets, odds are slim that you'll be able to find any type of deals on the hardware since it's so new.

If you have some gift cards stocked up, or rewards that you prefer from a certain retailer, you may want to look beyond Apple for your purchase. Here's where you can buy the new Apple Watch Series 5 for yourself now!

Apple

This year, Apple is doing things a bit different with the Series 5 by allowing you to customize it with the band combination of your choice. That's right, you don't have to pay for a band you don't want only to have to upgrade to another later. Instead, pick the one you like with the color Watch you like, right at the time of purchase. It's a great option, so be sure to check out all the different configurations available.

Amazon

If you aren't buying from Apple, Amazon may be your next best option. Between the fast shipping and the vast amount of options available, you'll be in for a great experience. Use the Amazon Credit Card for a way to get some interest free financing to make your new purchase a bit more affordable as well.

B&H Photo

One of the big benefits to shopping at B&H Photo was that you didn't have to pay sales tax at time of purchase in many states, but that's since changed. If you use the company's own credit card, you'll be refunded the amount of the sales tax on the transaction, which could be a decent savings on your new Watch depending on the configuration of choice.

Best Buy

Whether you have an extended financing option available, some reward certificates to spend, or just prefer shopping at a local Best Buy, the retailer offers a variety of configurations from the GPS-only model to the Nike+ Edition with Cellular. Unfortunately, you can't design the configuration of your choice like you can at Apple, so be sure there's something you like when ordering.

As we get closer to the actual launch, odds are more places will begin accepting orders for the Apple Watch Series 5. Be sure to check back for updates as they become available!

Apple's event this week introduced the world to a lineup of exciting new products. There were updates to the Apple Watch, a new, affordable iPad, and big upgrades to the iPhone. It was a typical Apple event full of panache and flair.

But the most memorable thing about the event wasn't the iPhone 11 Pro's triple camera system or what wasn't announced onstage. I can't stop thinking about its newest Dear Apple video.

In the video, Apple highlights the stories of Apple Watch users who say the wearable has had a meaningful impact on their life. The video's description reads:

Say what you will about the event as a whole, this video beautifully displays the humanity of Apple and its unrivaled ability to connect with its users. These stories are the perfect way to convince people that the Apple Watch can make a real difference; whether the latest model is a minor upgrade suddenly doesn't seem as important.

After the video was finished, a flood of similar stories hit the internet, with many people lauding Apple's commitment to improving the lives of its users.

When a phone doesn't have the features we want, or maybe looks a little funky, we forget about the other things Apple is doing. But it's videos like these and products like the Apple Watch that prove the company is still innovating in a big way.